Search Your Favourite Restaurants.

Name: Ristorante Roma
Address: 622 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR, 97205
Telephone: (503) 241-2692
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.44

Ristorante Roma

622 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR, 97205

(503) 241-2692
Store is closed

Ristorante Roma Menu

Antipasti

Insalata Roma

Insalata di Spinaci

Carpaccio Grana e Arugula

Caprese

Antipasto Italiano

Antipasto Vegetable Roma

Prosciutto e Melone

Saute Vongole

Fantasia di Mare

Minestrone di Verdure Bowl

Tartara di Tonno e Finocchi

Insalata Roma

Insalata di Spinaci

Carpaccio Grana e Arugula

Caprese

Antipasto Italiano

Antipasto Vegetable Roma

Prosciutto e Melone

Saute Vongole

Fantasia di Mare

Minestrone di Verdure Bowl

Tartara di Tonno e Finocchi
Secondi

Filetto ai Funghi Porcini

Scallopine al Vino Bianco

Straccetti con Ruchetta

Tonno ai Frutti Di Mare

Zuppetta di Mare

Filetto ai Funghi Porcini

Scallopine al Vino Bianco

Straccetti con Ruchetta

Tonno ai Frutti Di Mare

Zuppetta di Mare
Pasta

Spaghetti al Pomodoro

Spaghetti Con le Polpette

Penne all'Arrabiata

Fettucine ai Funghi Porcini

Spaghetti Carbonara

Ravioli di Spinaci al Pomodoro

Rigatoni all'Amatriciana

Pappardelle Funghi e Salciccia

Fettucine Bolognese

Gnocchi ai Quattro Formaggi

Ravioli Bolognese

Casarecci Pollo e Broccoli

Fettucine ai Frrutti di Mare

Pappardelle Mare e Monti

Ravioli all'Astice

Spaghetti al Pomodoro

Spaghetti Con le Polpette

Penne all'Arrabiata

Fettucine ai Funghi Porcini

Spaghetti Carbonara

Ravioli di Spinaci al Pomodoro

Rigatoni all'Amatriciana

Pappardelle Funghi e Salciccia

Fettucine Bolognese

Gnocchi ai Quattro Formaggi

Ravioli Bolognese

Casarecci Pollo e Broccoli

Fettucine ai Frrutti di Mare

Pappardelle Mare e Monti

Ravioli all'Astice
Dolci

Tiramisu

Panna Cotta

Tartufo

Coconut Sorbet

Lemon Sorbet

Tiramisu

Panna Cotta

Tartufo

Coconut Sorbet

Lemon Sorbet

Healthy Meal suggestions for Ristorante Roma

Antipasti

Insalata Roma [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Insalata di Spinaci [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carpaccio Grana e Arugula [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caprese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Antipasto Italiano [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Antipasto Vegetable Roma [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Prosciutto e Melone [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Saute Vongole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fantasia di Mare [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Minestrone di Verdure Bowl [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tartara di Tonno e Finocchi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Insalata Roma [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Insalata di Spinaci [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carpaccio Grana e Arugula [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caprese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Antipasto Italiano [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Antipasto Vegetable Roma [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Prosciutto e Melone [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Saute Vongole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fantasia di Mare [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Minestrone di Verdure Bowl [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tartara di Tonno e Finocchi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Secondi

Filetto ai Funghi Porcini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Scallopine al Vino Bianco [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Straccetti con Ruchetta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tonno ai Frutti Di Mare [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Zuppetta di Mare [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Filetto ai Funghi Porcini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Scallopine al Vino Bianco [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Straccetti con Ruchetta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tonno ai Frutti Di Mare [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Zuppetta di Mare [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pasta

Spaghetti al Pomodoro [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti Con le Polpette [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penne all'Arrabiata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fettucine ai Funghi Porcini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti Carbonara [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ravioli di Spinaci al Pomodoro [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rigatoni all'Amatriciana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pappardelle Funghi e Salciccia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fettucine Bolognese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gnocchi ai Quattro Formaggi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ravioli Bolognese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Casarecci Pollo e Broccoli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fettucine ai Frrutti di Mare [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pappardelle Mare e Monti [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ravioli all'Astice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti al Pomodoro [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti Con le Polpette [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penne all'Arrabiata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fettucine ai Funghi Porcini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti Carbonara [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ravioli di Spinaci al Pomodoro [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rigatoni all'Amatriciana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pappardelle Funghi e Salciccia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fettucine Bolognese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gnocchi ai Quattro Formaggi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ravioli Bolognese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Casarecci Pollo e Broccoli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fettucine ai Frrutti di Mare [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pappardelle Mare e Monti [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ravioli all'Astice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Dolci

Tiramisu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Panna Cotta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tartufo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Coconut Sorbet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lemon Sorbet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tiramisu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Panna Cotta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tartufo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Coconut Sorbet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lemon Sorbet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.

Write An Anonymous Review

Shannon B.

This place is amazing. We have been somewhat regulars here for the past 5 years (about once a month). When we first stared eating here we never needed a reservation. Now you need a reservation on the weekend. We have watched the owners have both of their children and the business go from slow on Friday to needing a reservation. The owners are very nice and actually are Italian and speak Italian to one anther and guests who speak Italian. About 75% of the time I get the crab ravioli with lobster cream sauce. It is so good. My husband gets something different each time. We have had everything on the menu at least once and have never been disappointed. The food is fantastic and not expensive, which is why we keep going back. The tiramisu is soooo good. The espresso is delicious every time.
(5)
Kerry H.

I am always on the hunt for great Italian food Stateside, and had a fantastic meal here. You know it will be good when you hear the staff speaking melodic Italian in the kitchen! We were quickly brought bread with olive oil and vinegar (GREAT bread), along with our drinks, which were reasonably priced. The salads were freshly prepared and lightly tossed in oil. My husband got the Pappardelle Funghi e Salciccia and I had the Gnocchi ai Quattro Formaggi. Both were excellent--reasonable portions, not gargantuan, but perfectly filling. The creamy tomato sauce was not too heavy and the flavor was great. The sauce on the gnocchi is definitely rich, but divine. There was nothing left when we finished, as we mopped up the remainder of the sauces with the bread. They also have Lavazza coffee--get an espresso and add a little sugar to hit the spot at the end of your meal. I will definitely return if I am in the area again.
(5)
Terry E.

We attempted to get a table on New Year's Eve, but no luck, the place was packed. New Year's Day turned out to be quieter. Walter, the owner, was friendly and took good care of us. The food was wonderful, starting with a house salad made with fresh fennel and a tasty vinaigrette. We shared the crab ravioli and the filet with arugula. Both were good bets, and the cognac-laced lobster creme sauce was delicious. We shared a nice bottle of boroli and followed the meal with a tartufo. Walter advised us to have the tiramisu instead, as tatfuo is for kids, but since tartufo (chocolate gelato and zabaglione, rolled in cocoa), WAS a childhood favorite, we stuck with the tartufo. The entire dinner was prepared with care, and was yummy. Walter also treated us to small glasses of chilled port after dinner. We were stuffed, and satisfied-- and all for eighty bucks for the two of us.
(4)
Bryan T.

We had a short walk here after a visit to Powell's. Again, Yelp Mobile comes through as it was easy walking from the bookstore. We arrived when they opened at 11:30. You always wonder about a place when you're the only person in the restaurant. The fresh baked bread was delivered soon after we were seated and in about a minute, we received slices of the wonderful bread along with amazing olive oil and balsamic vinegar. They use first rate ingredients here. I'm not a pasta person, but I ordered spaghetti carbonara. The spaghetti was done perfectly (al dente) and the sauce was wonderful. What made it special for me was the quality pancetta. That made the dish for me. My wife and daughter split the spinach ravioli and they loved the bolognese sauce. My wife commented how it included both ground beef and pork and the sauce was perfect. We both had a glass of chanti which was full bodied and had a nice finish. Delizioso!!
(4)
Randy W.

I recently traveled to Rome and I have to say that this is the closest thing I have found to authentic Roman food anywhere in Portland or Los Angeles. The ravioli stuffed with crab and artichoke swimming in a lobster cream sauce that featured huge, tender chunks of lobster, was AMAZING. Staff could be friendlier but, I wasn't there to make friends. ;)
(5)
Kirk F.

A really, really good neighborhood place. The people running the restaurant are nice and have put together a very authentic-feeling place. Nothing fancy in decor--it feels very low budget but like a place you would find off the tourist track in Rome. The pastas are very fresh and tasty--special props for the ravioli in pomodoro and the seafood pastas. The waitress would not let us over-order and encouraged us to share the large salads, and I appreciate this courtesy a lot. Small, nice. They are located on a block which is not too attractive, and it would be nice for them to be on a leafy street with outside seating on a warm summer night, in a more residential neighborhood--they would be incredible. But still, seek Roma out, these people deserve the effort.
(4)
Lacy O.

Just perfect and delicious. I had the beef capaccio, caprese salad and ravioli. The food was to die for. Super fresh, nice portions and all made in house. The panna cotta for desert was absolutely amazing topped with fresh strawberry sauce. The wait staff was warm, friendly and not pushy at all. The atmosphere is relaxing and comfortable. One of my new favorite places!
(5)
Rebecca J.

Fantastic food. Authentic. Fresh. The marinated zucchini is my new favorite vegetable. Gnocchi Ai Quattro formaggio is other-worldly. Wow! Pappardelle fungi is a favorite. Very reasonably priced.
(4)
Nicole D.

Love, love, love this place. The gnocchi sticks out in my mind, but I haven't had one bad dish there. The service is excellent and authentic. Went here for a prix fixe dinner on Valentine's Day and it was an unforgettable evening. Feels like many of the restaurants that I visited when traveling through Florence and Tuscany. Please go there! I'm always sad when I walk by and they're not bustling with customers!
(4)
Vijay U.

Fantastico! For real, this place is delicious. Very authentic, nice courteous service, and when they say home cooked, they aren't joking. The artichoke and crab ravioli is wonderful, not too heavy, perfect portion, and leaves you feeling satisfied. Make sure to call ahead for a reservation even during the week day. Quality establishment.
(5)
Laila L.

I am not a big sea food fan but the sea food pasta was awesome here. You should definitely try that. Friendly staff and great food.
(5)
Allison P.

Can you say "Amore"?? Because I certainly am. The food quality, service, and ambiance are as authentic as you can ask for in a Portland setting. The owners hail from Rome and brought the best recipes with them. I strongly recommend... everything on the menu! Their carbonara and lobster ravioli are rich and savory, paired with pinot noir and finished with tiramisu... Just when you think it can't get any better, the bill comes. You (and your wallet) will breathe easily and you'll be determined to share the great news with all your friends... or possibly keep the treasure to yourself. Whether going for a leisurely lunch or romantic dinner, this restaurant set off the beaten path is sure to please the senses. Swing by Ristorante Roma for a special date or make sure to set a reservation for larger groups. Happy dining!
(4)
Peggy H.

What a great place! We went on a Wednesday evening - made a reservation and were glad that we did. I had the caprese and ravioli bolognese, which was wonderful. The bread was great too. For desert I had the tartufo which was delicious. We had the Louis Latour pinot noir and it was excellent as well. During dinner an elderly gentleman played the violin - it was the right touch, not too loud and very enjoyable to listen to during dinner. If I lived in Portland, I would eat here all the time...
(5)
Ryan F.

Some of the best Italian food my wife and I have ever had. The caprese salad was a perfect starter to share. The gnocchi and fettuccine were both amazing as well. Their tiramisu was a perfect dessert to share at the end. All in all a wonderful experience with great service. We will definitely be returning!
(5)
Adam B.

It's been a while since yelp has let me down. I had the seafood pasta and when it was brought out the smell was so fishy I almost sent it back. The mussels were not soft, the clams were lacking flavor and the shrimp tasted like salad shrimp. The pasta noodles were good but the sauce was nothing special. I have had this dish at 100+ Italian restaurants and this is one of the worst. Top it off with a disappointing glass of chianti. At least the staff was nice but when I was asked how the meal was and I said not good nothing was done or said since then. Iactually thought the entire time eating my food that there was a chance i was at the wrong restaurant based on all the positive yelp reviews. I would NEVER go back to this place.
(1)
Monique D.

Super old school and old world. Great meal and the service level was perfect. Could have licked the bowl clean that held the seafood pasta (pappardelle mare e monte) --- shrimp, calamari, mussels, clams, porcini mushrooms and cognac. Antipasti platter was also tasty. The tiramisu was ok....would go for the panna cotta as others have recommended. Reservations only... Tiny place...nice change of pace from the PDX "foodie" restaurants...not that I don't love some of those as well....enjoy!
(4)
Barbara S.

While visiting Portland last week we ate here with my sister and brother in law. We independently found it on Yelp. They said they go there regularly and that sealed the deal. The pasta bolognese (one of my favorite Italian dishes) was fabulous. And their minestrone soup is probably the best I've ever had. Yum Yum! I wish I could have that on tap. It is a one room restaurant that is so authentic you feel like you're in Italy.
(5)
Emily M.

Wonderful food, friendly service, fabulous prices. I'd give 4.5 stars if I could, taking off .5 only for the ambiance which is not particularly overwhelming.
(4)
John T.

I went here today being very skeptical that it's authentic or even a quality italian restaurant. Plastic coated menu? But then i was proven very wrong. The food was delicious. My gnochi salome was rich and creamy with small flecks of smoked salmon that gave it great texture. Everyone elses dish that i tried was also tasty and not overly sauced. The best part was it's a small restaurant family owned and runned. Small and cozy and i'm happy to know i'll be returning soon because someone had booked the restaurant for a bday party.
(5)
Bob D.

This is authentic Italian food at a good price. Very small place so make reservations if you can. For entrees we had the spaghetti carbonara, fettuccine bolognese, and parpadelle fungi (excellent food). The service was good and the food was delivered promptly. We will return to this restaurant whenever we visit Portland.
(4)
Gloria A.

This little hidden gem is one of my favorites. One of the best understated authentic Roman Italian restaurants in Portland. If you think you've tried it all, and you've not tried this place than you are in for a treat! Be sure to save room for their tiramisu. It is one of the city's best!
(4)
Kenneth H.

Smallish Italian restaurant that serves tasty and filling food in what I am going to guess is the style of the city of Roma at a little below standard prices. I needed a restaurant to take my extended family who were visiting from out of town and are picky as all hell. Italian food always seems to be a winner for my peeps, although wherever we happen to be the Italian restaurant in question must meet three very strict criteria. 1) Free bread, and lots of it. Quality is not that important, but there must be a never ending stream of it. 2) Well lit, as in plenty of light to read menu's (no dark cave like places) 3) Not too loud or busy. I know it sounds weird, but the quality of entrees or appetizers or wine doesn't really matter that much to my family (although they will complain up a storm about the quality of the food if any of the above three criteria aren't met.) Thankfully Ristorante Roma not only satisfied my families somewhat unreasonable demands, but they also have good food and I randomly picked a great bottle of wine for under 30 bucks (this rarely happens to me). Having never been before a friend recommended it to me as a "great casual mom and pop place, where the family cooks, serves, greets, cleans, everything." I personally love these kind of places, where you may see the kids hanging out in the kitchen or following mom around from table to table. All I can say about the service is that it was perfect. I got some sort of spinach salad with steak for around 20 dollars I think, and it came with a side of asparagus. It was not incredible food, but it was good enough to enjoy and made me curious to try their other dishes. I also got some dessert and it was fantastic, a cannoli I think but everyone else who get dessert loved theirs as well. I will be returning.
(4)
Gary S.

Mheeee-I hate to rain on anyone's parade, but... We went to this place for the first time last night. We'd read the great reviews and also heard raves from friends and family. Maybe it was an off night for RR or maybe we went to the wrong place, but the experience was NOT what we expected. I had good old spaghetti and meatballs (for $14 I was expecting something really good!) and my dinner date had noodles with chicken and broccoli. Long story short, we were both very disappointed. My dish was pretty flavorless (I don't think I've ever had such bad meatballs) and the noodle dish also failed. Spicing was uniformly missing, pasta was doughy, and food was over cheesed. For $50 we got the two dishes and two glasses of wine. Maybe not so bad if the food had been up to par... We did like the bread and oil and vinegar...
(2)
vicki g.

Ok, decor sucks, get over that and you are in for a treat. This is an excellent trattoria style restaurant. The service was very friendly, cheerful and attentive. We had the antipasti plate which was very nice, good selection of smoked meats. I had the crab ravioli, smooth tomato cream sauce with hint of sweetness and the pasta was perfectly cooked. Hubby had pasta w mushrooms and sausage and that was a big hit, sausage had lots of fennel and great flavor. They comped us a tiramisu desert for the hell of it and it was very nice, fluffy and light. Great neighborhood restaurant with excellent food.
(4)
Erin G.

What a great little place. We sat outside on a beautiful night, the service was great, the food was great, very well priced. Quiet and intimate. Recommend.
(5)
Doc O.

Five stars. This place is amazing.
(5)
K. M.

You must go here! We went without a reservation and unfortunately they were booked. We started down the street and the waitress came running after us that they had a cancellation and could fit us in. She was so sweet for doing that!! We had a lovely meal and would definetely recommend it for a casual, home cooked, family owned restaurant. Delicious and very reasonably priced. Yeeha!
(4)
Luna P.

Hooray for fresh pasta!!! Surprisingly, the steak was different and good.
(4)
Cathy S.

OMG this place is a must! Hand made pasta, bolognese sauce that tastes so uncomplicatedly divine, garlicky pesto, and an inspiring carbonara sauce makes this place my favorite Italian of all-time! Their beef tenderloin wilted arugula dish was also delish with beef so soft you didn't have to chew! The wait staff sings in Italian as he's bustling about and is very knowledgeable about the dishes. Very memorable and well worth a visit.
(5)
Tim E.

I met up with some friends downtown last night. One was craving good wine and italian. The other was simply starving. I found Ristorante Roma, and decided to check it out. At first glance, this place looks pretty simple, and I'm hard to impress, but the real treat is when we got our dishes. I ordered a mushroom and sausage pasta dish. It was amazing! Not only was the food delicious, but the staff, everyone, was so awesome. If you're looking for a simple romantic dinner, this place is it.
(5)
Milo D.

Very solid food. We had the gnocchi with 4 cheese cream sauce. Very tasty but nothing spectacular. Also had the crab & artichoke ravioli with lobster sauce. Again, solid. The atmosphere is very austere which is fine, just beware as it's not suitable for a fancy occasion. Very reasonably priced.
(3)
Laird N.

After a long hike around downtown Portland, my family and I stopped in and enjoyed a fresh-as-fresh-can-be dinner of spinach salads, gnocchi, rigatoni with pancetta and simple spaghetti with meatballs. Our waitress was kind and knowledgeable. Highly recommended.
(5)
Josh G.

Excellent service and wine. Sorbet was best I've ever had.
(4)
Mandy O.

I went to Ristorante Roma with some friends (they suggested it...I had never been) and I was so impressed! I lived in Italy for a period of time and have never seen such an authentic Italian restaurant here in the States. The food was amazing and it is truly a great place to go for the real Italian experience! I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who thinks Olive Garden is real Italian food- Ristorante Roma will quickly make them realize that real Italian food is much better!
(5)
Sabrina S.

My date and I were in search of a great Italian restaurant that was new to both of us. Ristorante Roma had some decent reviews on Citysearch- which claims this restaurant to be "Portland's most authentic Italian cuisine". After reading the reviews...we decided to give it a try. Ristorante Roma happens to dish up roman-italian food for relatively cheap (about $10-20 a meal). The restaurant itself is quite small and somewhat tucked away- we found it hard to spot off the street since the lighting and signage isn't the best. About 12-15 tables take up the dining space. Entering the restaurant was awkward- as everyone in the restaurant has a great view of the front door (the dining area is one big square). The register and host area face the dining area- an empty deli/delicatessen area to their left with dining tables setup against it. The kitchen is located behind the host and you can view everything that they are doing. Low romantic lighting surrounds the dining area- with those horrible florescent lights beaming from the kitchen. Since the atmosphere was not at all what we expected- we figured the food would make up for it. However, we were somewhat disappointed as we found the meals rather mediocre and not quite as authentic as stated on reviews. But for the price- the experience was not too shabby- but it's definitely a one time only visit for me. This restaurant happened to take a spot in Willamette Week for "Cheap Eats 2006".
(2)
Ben S.

We had a fabulous meal there for a reasonable price. The prosciutto and melon appetizer was great. The wine was a good price, and the servings were generous and delicious. I'd say the food was as good as any of the trattorias I visited in Florence! I had beef bits with braised arugula and asparagus, and my date had crab-stuffed ravioli. At the end of the meal the maitre d' brought us chilled muscat on the house, a great finish to a great meal. The atmosphere definitely leaves something to be desired, or I'd give this place 5 stars.
(4)
George S.

This is a small restaurant. We had an early dinner on Saturday and were glad we had reservations because we saw a few people turned away. I know why. The service was excellent. Very attentive and friendly. The food was fantastic. My wife had the gnocchi and I had the ravioli bolognese. There were no take home boxes. Thank goodness we shared or I would not have experienced the gnocchi. Best. Gnocchi. Ever. The ravioli was great, too.
(5)
Carmen C.

I came across this restaurant on Yelp. They were accommodating to our party of 5 and they seated us super quick with no wait. We got a basket of bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. So good that we finished 2 baskets of it. Their pasta is super fresh, I don't think you can go wrong with anything you pick here. I got the spaghetti and meatball and it was one of the best I've eaten in my life. Shaved parmesan on top was super fresh and the portions are perfect. The pappardelle looked amazing as well.
(5)
Zeia V.

Absolutely awesome! When I go to a new Italian restaurant for the first time, I always try the meatballs. It's a great gauge on how the rest of the food will be. The logic is that, if a restaurant can't make something so basic, then there's no way that their other, more complicated dishes will be any better. This restaurant passed the meatball test with flying colors. It was meaty and seasoned nicely. And like the meatball test suggests, the rest of the meal was great. Everything was and flavorful and filling. The panna cotta? ART ON A PLATE!
(4)
Annie P.

My boyfriend and I recently celebrated our first anniversary together in Portland, and Yelp led us to this absolutely fantastic restaurant for dinner. After an agonizing fifteen minutes trying to find parking in the Pearl District on a Saturday night, we were starving when we walked into this lovely hole in the wall. The space is small and warmly lit for a perfect intimate ambience. The servers were attentive and friendly, refilling our water on a regular basis. But the food completely took this restaurant to the next level. I ordered the spinach and ricotta ravioli in bolognese sauce, which was absolutely delicious. My boyfriend and I both raved over his gnocchi, perfectly textured and soaked in flavorful melted cheeses. Our waiter convinced us to end the night with tiramisu and tartufo, which both received high marks. It's been a while since I've had tiramisu so well-made, from the mascarpone light as a cloud to the soft ladyfingers perfect for absorbing the rich coffee. I probably won't be back in Portland for a while, but this will definitely be my top choice for a romantic dinner with my boyfriend next time I'm in town.
(5)
Mark G.

Found this restaurant on Yelp! Since we are visiting from Atlanta we were thrilled to find such a great spot. A local restaurant with authentic Italian food and the service staff was Italian and fantastic. What a treat. You must eat here.
(5)
Lauren G.

The first time I went was on a Wednesday when my boyfriend's brother was in town and he insisted we all go. The second time I went was two nights later when my family came into town - that time I insisted we go. You can't beat the flavors, the service, or the price. All wonderful.
(5)
Brooke C.

We walked fell upon this place walking by and weren't expecting anything amazing - didn't know the yelp reviews. It wasss awesome. So delicious. We are definitely going back. Such a great place.
(5)
Erik P.

My girlfriend and I had a great experience here. We both studied in Italy and found this restaurant to be very authentic, especially the server who could speak fluent Italian. We weren't going to get a reservation initially because it was New Years and they were closed until later, but we left a message and I'm glad we did! The restaurant filled up and a huge party was coming in just as we were leaving. The seating area itself is relatively small, so make sure to get in early or get a reservation.
(5)
Yasa P.

Great Italian place. Authentic, friendly service, and spectacular wine! This place was recommended by my little sister, and though their menu is not very extensive, they are amazing. I highly recommend the Spaghetti Bolognese or Ravioli. They also serve warm bread and olive oil with balsamic before hand and you can sip your wine waiting for food. They always remember you, and won't ID every time after the first couple times. One time, I had a reservation made with Gilda's Italian place to try it out, and we came 10 minutes late, coming from Happy Valley to downtown Portland, and they had given our table away, and further insulted us at the door. ON OUR ANNIVERSARY!! I was horrified, but Roma was the light at the end of the tunnel, and though they had reservations booked back to back, they agreed to seat and serve us immediately, before a large party was set to arrive. They accommodated us in every way at our time of need, and I just can't say enough amazing things about them. The positivity, the environment, the food. You might as well be sitting at a restaurant in Italy. The wine is spectacular, I like a bold red, and they always have suggestions. I love their Valentino wine. And save room for their Tiramisu, it is out of this world, along with a cappuccino. YES, YES, YES. I consider this my go-to place for any special occasion, or any time I visit downtown. They are small, comfortable, and VERY AUTHETIC. Love it.
(5)
Mia T.

My daughter tells me I can't stop gushing about this restaurant. It's true! -- it's been a while since I've had a truly thoughtful meal. What do I mean by thoughtful? Perfectly prepared, seasoning in balance, great service. My mother's filet mignon melted in her mouth, my daughters' spaghetti and fettucine plates were divine, and my seafood papardelle was delicious. My friend ordered the chicken scallopini and raved over its preparation. Salads were bright and fresh. Desserts were divine -- I don't usually care for tiramisu but I found their version irresistable. We also had the tartufo -- yum! We will definitely come back next time we are in Portland. Guaranteed!
(5)
Dora G.

Wonderful food, had clams for lunch. Very nice place, great service and atmosphere. Nice and relaxing.
(5)
Ursula M.

Ristorante Roma is smaller and less showy than other Italian restaurants in town, but their food is authentic and delicious. We made reservations, and our table was waiting for us when we arrived on time. The gnocchi is the real deal and the 4 cheese sauce supurb. The gelato desserts are over the top good! Excellent restaurant! My only complaint is the Italian pop music playing. We were seated right under a speaker and it was noisy and the female singer abrasive.
(4)
E C.

Lived in Italy and SF for a while, this is the best Italian food in town, even better than SF Italian food!!!
(5)
Jillian W.

I'm not sure how we missed this place! We've lived in Portland for 16 years and thought we'd found the best Italian food all over town. This place was great. Happened to walk in on a Friday night at 7:30 and scored a table. Food 5 star. Service was super friendly though not formal. Atmosphere very nice. Happily there were no kids or babies for our relaxing date night. I'm going back for sure! In the top 5 Italian Resturants of Portland - "city of great dining"
(5)
Joel M.

Please move this restaurant closer to my house. It's small enough, actually, to fit inside my house so just relocate it there, and I will gladly dine there every night on perfect pasta. Hopefully, I will no longer need to make reservations once it's in my own home, but we can work out the details later.
(5)
Joe M.

The four of us walked in at 7:30 on a Thursday night and were seated immediately. Five minutes later would have been too late, though, as several groups arrived right after us and had to wait. The caprese I ordered was pretty standard fare. The pastas, though, were excellent. In particular, I suggest the rigatoni all' Amatriciana (no skimping on the pancetta) and the casarecci pollo e broccoli. I like Italian food, and I generally eat at least one meal at an Italian restaurant anytime I travel. Ristorante Roma is a cut above.
(4)
Eric H.

Yum, Yum, Yum. First time there.. a little italian restaurant that can be easily overlooked. I wish I could have gotten a tub of my dish.. it was THAT. DAMN. GOOD. Thanks Roma.
(5)
Rawley V.

This hole in the wall restaurant is fabulous!! Having experienced dining in Italy, I can say that this restaurant will make you feel like you are there....minus the cost of airfare! The food was phenomonal with lots of flavor, very fresh and wonderfully served. The portion size was also filling, but not overwhelming to the point that you are taking a bunch of it home. As such, the food pricing was very fair and we had dinner, appetizers and a bottle of wine for under a benjamin. Our server was from Italy, as where most of the folks who were filling waters or bringing the food, and very nice to talk to. And we didn't have to ask for waters (which is annoying) and they were brought to the table as soon as we sat down. This is a great restaurant with great people working there and we plan to go back many times!
(5)
Mirina Y.

wow, a little taste of Italy here in Portland, Having been to Italy several times, and having tried many Portland Italian restaurants, and been very disappointed, I was very diffident before coming to Roma. Well I was really taken aback, What a pleasant warming surprise. It is like being in Italy, maybe the decoration is not a match, but the food and serving are and also the way people who work there treat clients: considerate, respectful, discreet but warm. So I have come back few times. My very favorite are: Pappardelle funghi e salsiccia and the Pappardelle mare e monti, yum yum, this is an authentic Italian restaurant. I will not look further!!!
(5)
Caryn W.

HC and I visited this restaurant tonight for dinner. If you blinked, you would miss this place, but it's definitely a great find. We were seated, given water, and a basket of bread and olive oil right away. The restaurant was comfortably crowded with a mix of different kinds of people. The menu was about 2 pages long. We both got seafood pasta choices. I got the spaghetti and HC got the paperdelle. The portions were good-sized and I liked the amount of seafood that both plates came with. We decided to try the tiramisu and coconut sorbet for dessert. HC ate the tiramisu up pretty quickly. The sorbet was good, but I thought it was a bit expensive at $6. Would visit again if we were in the area.
(4)
Michael A.

This little Italian restaurant in downtown Portland was a real treat! The service was extremely friendly, the food was fantastic and the atmosphere terrific (complete with a violin player). While the pasta portions were not the huge bowls I am used to in NY, they were very well sized and delicious. If you're looking for a relaxed and excellent Italian dinner in Portland, look no further.
(5)
Wendy M.

I haven't been back here in awhile, but decided to pop in early on Saturday 3/8/14. Glad I did as we sat right next to Al Pacino. He was with a large group and every diner there was in shock, and politely left Al alone. While Al sent back his food, we did not. Great food, and sometimes great company from Hollywood. The service is always excellent.
(4)
Nick J.

Cozy little restaurant serving excellent Italian food. Service was attentive, friendly, lots of smiles. The food was flavorful, tasty, filling! The wine was good and they have several reasonably priced selections. Dessert? Don't mind if I do. The tiramisu was amazing. Definitely a great experience!
(5)
Patrick H.

Went there on a Friday night and was immediately seated. My son and I shared the cheese and meat platter, followed by spaghetti and meatballs. Both were excellent.
(5)
Steve P.

Had a wonderful Valentines Day dinner in this great little place. Great wine, wonderful food and service. Great Panna Cotta.
(5)
John L.

Excellent service and great food. Went for my mom's bday and both of my parents watch their sodium levels and so we asked for their meals to be low on the salt and they did great. On top of they were awesome about their gluten free pasta, even boiling separate water for it.
(5)
Jason Z.

The food here was excellent and their staff friendly and knowledgable. I got a seafood pasta dish (can't remember the name now) and it was cooked so well. The pasta was without a doubt perfect. Also, It seems we got lucky, as we were able to be seated on a Saturday night (around 730) without reservations. The place is small, so make reservations if you can. Oh, and the atmosphere and lighting were fantastic.
(5)
Benjamin P.

Good restaurant, a bit expensive for an italian restaurant but good quality, decent amount of food. I tried the ravioli bolognese, was not disappointed.
(4)
Sara E.

Really tasty, flavorful food. The place is really warm and romantic too, very nice atmosphere. Nice service and the hot Italian guy doesn't hurt either. Will definitely go back.
(5)
Taylor C.

My first visit to Portland was a short one, visiting with my boyfriend's family trying to fit in as much of the city as we could but pretty beat from traveling and climbing the base of Mount Ranier the day before. By the time dinner rolled around we were locked in the frustrating cycle of "Well there are a million places to go. should we stop here? How about here? What about here?" After looking around the area and going to Yelp for help, we came to Ristorante Roma, right as it was opening. First good sign of any authentic ethnic restaurant- are the staff the same ethnicity of the food? Not always a guarantee for success but with food as commercialized as Italian, you can easily run into a lot of cheap places serving pastas that it seemed like they made up. Thankfully here the staff was Italian which was great because I could break out my unfortunately unused (and thus dwindling) language talents. The wait staff was one guy who was really friendly and clearly Italian. When my boyfriend's mother told him her minestrone was delicious, he seemed flustered and said he made it himself. Adorable. I like my pasta dishes homemade, saucy, and well-composed. I was shocked to see that they had a crab and artichoke ravioli with a lobster sauce for only $16 and took a gamble. It turned out to meet all of my criteria- super flavorful, enough sauce to mop up each ravioli, and just enough. I loved it. I also enjoyed a glass of very tastey Pinot Grigio that was a generous size. For dessert I split a tiramisu with my boyfriend that tasted very hefty- the ricotta was thick and flavorful- not airy and tasteless as it often can be. Overall, friendly authentic atmosphere, reasonably priced and super tasty food? A++
(5)
Teal S.

I loved the food- honestly the pasta sauces were incredible. The only thing I have to say is the restaurant is a little small. The waiter was nice though and the bread/ dip was so good.
(4)
Abra S.

I came here last night with my cousin from Germany. Nice little restaurant! He got spaghetti pomodoro and I got the seafood Papardelle. The pasta was super fresh and was really good! Would prob go back if I wanted some fresh pasta.
(4)
Gerald A B.

This is truly to my tastes the best Italian restaurant I have tried in Portland. The owners, and I presume the chef, are actually Romanians who lived in Rome and have adopted Italian culinary know-how. I am enslaved to Pasta Arabiata and find it terrific here. The entrees are excellent, all of them. The only negatives I find are the restaurant's limited size and the unfortunate fact that it is closed on Sundays. The restaurant is downtown and street parking is rare. Try the garage of the Presbyterian church directly across the street.o
(5)
Robert N.

Went here for dinner with my girlfriend when we were visiting Portland for the weekend. Based on the Yelp reviews, we were expecting a fabulous italian meal but unfortunately walked away very disappointed and rather queasy. The kitschy decor and stereotypical italian music didn't do much to set the stage, but dinner started off well with one of their salads and a split of proseco. Partly through the salad we ordered our entrees and a bottle of red to go with dinner. The front of the menu states that everything is hand prepared and to please leave time for dishes to come out. Given that statement, you can imagine my surprise when our pasta dishes came out very quickly after we placed the order and before we were even finished with the appetizer and proseco. Timing was only the beginning, unfortunately neither dish met expectations. My gnocchi was hard in the middle, and the sauce was incredible underwhelming - almost like it was previously frozen. My girlfriends ravioli also tasted remarkably store bought, and the accompanying tomato sauce did not do it an favors. I rarely send back food when eating out but my meal was so bad I could not eat it. Our server was nice about it and offered to exchange my meal for something else, but since my girlfriends was no better than mine I decided to cut my losses and just have another salad. Net-net we ended dinner far sooner than expected with 3/4 of a bottle red wine and no decent food to go with it. We felt rushed the whole evening and to cap it all off both of us wound up feeling sick a few minutes after we left. I'm really sad that dinner here ruined the only Saturday night we had in such a beautiful city. There are a ton of fantastic restaurants in Portland as we discovered the next day. Do yourself a favor and go to one of them instead.
(2)
Christi K.

I really really liked this place. Its a small hole in the wall. The kind of place you would miss unless you were looking for it. I'm in town on business and went here for dinner. Super delicious! As an appitizer, we had the caprese salad. Simple and delicious, just like it should be. For the entree I had the penne all'arribiatta. Spicy, but not overwhelming with large garlic cloves in the sauce. The only drawback to that was that the cloves were a little soggy and not crunchy. My coworker had the artichoke and crab ravioli with lobster sauce. I dont like seafood however, but he said it was fantastic. For desert, I had the lemon sorbet. So delicious and refreshing after my meal. It was lemon sorbet served in hollowed out lemon rinds. I loved it so much. The place is a little small, I suggest making a reservation. That way, in case it gets busy and fills up fast, you'll have a space waiting for you. If I'm ever in town again, I will definately swing in.
(4)
Randy N.

I had the carbonara and my wife had the spaghetti and meatballs. Both dishes were amazing and beyond our expectations. Service was really good too. We will come back here next time we are in Portland
(5)
Heather N.

Best Gnocchi ever! It was served in a RICH and delicious four cheese sauce. We also had a fresh and light orange salad dressed in balsamic. Squea! New favorite. We read the other good and poor yelp reviews, but we found the place to be a treat!
(5)
Ying C.

AMAZING!!!!!!! My boyfriend and I were visiting Portland and decided to try this restaurant based on its reviews. We got the following: Grilled vegetables (appetizer) Orange salad (appetizer) Pappardelle funghi e salsiccia (entree) Seafood Pappardelle (entree) I RECOMMEND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE. Even though the vegetables were all grilled, everything on there was delicious. It included mushrooms, artichoke heart, asparagus, broccoli, olives, beans, and arugula. It's very light seasoned with salt and vinegar, and the combination was just amazingly delicious. As for the two entrees, they were both incredible. As Italian food tends to be heavier, both pappardelle was perfect in balance of flavors. Pappardelle funghi e salisiccia is pretty much with a creamy tomato sauce, delicious sausage ish meat balls, and mushrroms. The sauce, the meat, and the pasta were all so delicious. It goes the same for the seafood pappardelle, which basically had all different types of seafood. Its flavors were so balanced, neither too heavy or light, and the salty sweet were all just perfect. On top of that, the service was also amazing. The two waitress were really sweet, and made sure everything was always good. I love this restaurant. Totally fly back to Portland just to eat here.
(5)
Well-Traveled I.

I always intended to write a review but it wasn't until after I took a coworker/friend that I thought, yeah, maybe I should. There are probably 3-4 Italian restaurants I would recommend in Portland. I'm not one of those food snobs that thinks you can only find good Italian food back East; every region does things differently. That being said, this is a restaurant I highly recommend. This unpretentious restaurant in SW makes homemade Italian food that makes you want to travel to Italy so you can learn to cook, live, and breathe its culture. On the last visit, I had the Ravioli all'Astice, which is a crab and artichoke ravioli in lobster cream sauce. The filling was ample and the lobster cream sauce made for great dipping. On a side note, I'm glad the waiter didn't give us any weird looks; we were on a daily run and walked in during lunch hour wearing running clothes and looking pretty sweaty. The waiter - tall, younger gentleman - knew the menu inside and out and was efficient yet not cold. Eating at Ristorante Roma, they make you feel like famiglia. So, please patronize this wonderful hidden gem.
(5)
Simon S.

Mainly pasta dishes which makes it reasonable. The food I great and the sauces have exquisite flavor which really resonate. The staff are friendly And provide quick service. A wonderful spot to kick start a great night out!
(5)
Jae K.

Was impressed by this little restaurant. It's a small place with probably 10 tables or so. It's a nice/quiet place where you can have a conversation. The service is bit slow, but the food was good. We tried a pasta dish with clams and Pappardelle Mare e Monti. Both were good. The pasta was perfectly cooked. No fishy smell, not salty, not too much sauce or too little... With a bottle of Prosecco, they all seemed to taste good anyway. I thought the price was okay.
(4)
James W.

You really can't do better than this restaurant - for the food, the price, or the service. All are top-notch; incredible meals at a fair price, with service that is exemplary. I could go on and on, but let's just say that this is my new favorite place. I've been eating at Piazza Italia for a few years (I also think one of the best in Portland) but this place is better. Since my first trip there a couple months ago, I've taken a few groups of friends...and their appraisals after dinner or lunch mirrored mine: EXCELLENT! The service must get a special mention. They are soooo nice, so attentive, and soooo knowledgable about their dishes, that a diner feels like he or she is in really good hands. And, the service is consistent; Every time I have been, no matter who waited on me, the level of service was the same - spectacular! Again, I can't say enough about this place. GO! Go NOW! You will not be let down.
(5)
Gina G.

We dined here based on a recommendation from our hotel concierge at the Nines. Great food and good service. The salads were delightful and the main courses were authentic and fresh. The restaurant itself is quite small and understated. The food quality is worth the ambiance trade off.
(4)
Scotty Y.

Small dining area with some outside tables, traditional, simple Italian dining. Had the ravioli stuffed with wild boar and shaved truffle....3 for $15 seemed steep and overpriced for portion size but everyone enjoyed the meals. "perfectly cooked" pasta was the ongoing conversation. Bread kept coming so we all kept dipping in the olive oil and balsamic. The seafood spaghetti was the winner, plenty of seafood, balanced with a fair amount of pasta.
(4)
Nathasha S.

Extremely enjoyable experience :) alliteration right there. A nice, quaint authentic Italian restaurant, a great menu selection with a variety of courses. The restaurant had a really relaxing feel to it which I loved, I didn't feel rushed or pressured to quickly eat and get out. Reasonable prices! The complimentary bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar is yummy, although I wish the bread was served warm. I shared the pappardelle mare e monti with my friend, they gladly spit the order in the back for us which was so nice. Generous serving of fresh clams, mussels, and shrimp. I could tell the pasta was fresh, so delicious with a hint of spice. I only wished my half portion had more :p I would gladly return! This has now become my go-to Italian restaurant in Portland.
(4)
John D.

FANTASTICO! My wife & I had a fabulous lunch here. We started with the Antipasto Italiano and followed with the Rigatoni Funghi Salsiccia (Sausage) and the Spaghetti con Polpette (meatballs). Everything was just perfectly prepared and presented. The pasta was properly al dente. Not only the food, but I think the ambiance and service are a full five stars. I wish we lived around the corner from this place.
(5)
Chris P.

This was one of the best Italian restaurants we have ever had the pleasure of dining at. From the pappardelle mare e monti to the chocolate gelato tartufo, the food was beyond exquisite. The ambience was wonderful, and the service was attentive without being stuffy. If you are ever in Portland, it is an absolute "must". One note: On Yelp, the closing time is shown as 10:30... When we went on a Saturday in July, they closed at 9:30. It would be a shame to miss out on this deliciousness by showing up too late.
(5)
Cory A.

Quaint yet authentically refined. Impeccable service and outstanding food. Impressed by all 3 staff members who worked like a well oiled machine: busser back waiter and lead server. Ultimately my wife and I had an amazing experience. Can't wait to come back.
(5)
Marie A.

On my trip to portland, this was my favorite place that I ate at! Good service, quaint atmosphere and excellent food. We ordered a caprese salad, spaghetti de fruiti a mare, and a filet. They used good quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar on the caprese. The spaghetti was spot on. The perfect amount of garlic, tomato and oil. And the seafood and home-made pasta was excellent-- cooked perfectly. And the filet was a great way finish to the meal! Truly delicious. We almost went here twice during our weekend trip we enjoyed it so much.
(5)
Tiffany I.

Friendly wait staff, nice atmosphere and great food. I had the cheesy gnocchi which was excellent, possibly slightly overdone but I'm no expert.
(4)
Rebekah M.

THE BEST Italian food in Portland! Small, intimate space. Make sure to make a reservation. From the appetizer to the house made tiramisu, every bite was heaven.
(5)
Mark M.

Where to begin? Ristorante Roma is tucked innocuously into a stretch of 12th street just south of Alder. Despite staying just around the corner, I'd have completely missed this amazing restaurant without the benefit of Yelp. Due to the ever-present need to accommodate Leo, the anxiety-ravaged terrier, I ordered takeout--but with our apartment less than two blocks away I was able to eat the meal while it was still properly hot. Down to brass tacks: Caprese Salad (excellent summer tomatoes with a mild but tasty mozzarella). Fettuccine ai Funghi Porcini (perfectly al dente house-made fettuccine with light but flavorful sauce and earthy and delicious porcini mushrooms). Pappardelle Funghi e Salciccia (fantastic pasta, cooked to perfection, with a thick but not overpowering sauce. Really enjoyed this). Filetto ai Funghi Porcini (rounding out a fungus-themed meal, this was the highlight. Medium rare means different things to different folks, but to Ristorante Roma it means "freaking perfect." This filet mignon is served with porcini mushrooms in a Cognac reduction, and it was perhaps the best cut of meat I've ever had. The thing could have been cut with a fork if I'd wanted to). Worst part of meal: as a takeout order on one of Portland's rare 100 degree days, I didn't dare order the Tartufo. Surely my loss, and I'm coming for you, Tartufo, just you wait. My bottom line: You know you are eating a special meal when you start taking smaller bites midway through because you fear prematurely ending the experience. That was me with Ristorante Roma. Hell, even the bread (generous portions offered up without the need to ask) was worthy of 5 stars. Don't be dumb, eat here.
(5)
Michael L.

My wife and I came here on a weeknight in the late afternoon when they were not busy. We were asked if we had a reservation, which did not have, but that was not a problem (it may have been if they were busy). The service was friendly and the atmosphere was cozy. The number of menu options were not overwhelming, which is great for me. They also had some specials that all sounded really good. However, I looked at their menu online and already had an item in mind. My wife ordered the Gnocchi ai Quattro Formaggi (potato gnocchi in a cream sauce), and I ordered the Ravioli all'Astice (crab and artichoke ravioli in a lobster cream sauce). Both dishes were delicious! The portion sizes were perfect; not too small and not too big. We didn't have room for dessert, otherwise we would have tried one of our favorite desserts: tiramisu. Maybe we will get to the next time we are in town.
(4)
Ivy C.

What a cute little Italian place with excellent service, solid Italian food and generous portions of seafood. I can't even begin to express how delicious their crab and lobster ravioli is. It has such a flavorful, hearty cream sauce, with little chunks of fresh crab and lobster. Their Zupetto is completely filled with mussels, class, salmon, prawns and calamari in a flavorful, garlicky broth. Most Italian places give you like 2 mussels and a couple class and slap on a hefty price tag. Not here. Their dessert looked delicious but we didn't have anymore room. Til next time!
(5)
Dennis H.

Simple and tasty mom and pop restaurant. I thought the plates were quite delicious and really enjoyed my good ol' spaghetti and meatballs. We also had some fresh veggies and a plate of salami and prosciutto.
(4)
Maggie W.

We have now been to Roma Ristorante three times. It has been 100% consistent. Lovely, friendly wait staff. Prompt seating for our reservation. Wonderful, fresh bread with high quality olive oil. Recommend: Caprese salad Pasta carbonara (our favorite) Linguine with meat sauce Crab and lobster ravioli Tartufo ice crew for dessert Our new favorite place.
(5)
I N.

Total experience was positive. Friday, 7pm table for two w/ no reservation. Fresh, fresh, fresh ingredients for minestrone soup and salad. Fresh-made, AMAZING pasta. Nice sized portions. Flawless Tiramisu. Would have preferred illy brand coffee over the Lavazza they served.
(4)
Figaro A.

Was in downtown Portland for biz and in the mood for authentic regional cuisine that's not a food truck. Found Ristorante Roma in a sea of trendy fusion establishments. The Italian-speaking clientel and staff made me feel like in Italia. I ordered Pappardelle a Mare ei Monti and managed to dash off a few lines from my Italian tourist's phrasebook. This dish was sensational in its freshness of ingredients and perfect execution of the sauce, light in body yet profound in taste. I've had many such 'seafood pasta' dishes in California but none tasted this satisfying. Arrivederci a Roma!
(5)
Elyse L.

il cibo Ã¨ molto buono! The food is very good! Ristorante Roma is my new favorite Italian restaurant. The dishes are fantastic and have amazingly rich savory flavors. I could tell the chefs use authentic, quality ingredients and each dish is specially crafted to have its own distinct flavor. The wait staff is incredibly sweet and professional. The decor is Italian style with a touch of home style feel.
(5)
Jannet L.

Was feeling lazy and wanted to eat close to the hotel. Thought we should try Italian since the last time at Sabrina's back home was just fine but not spectacular. Found this place and so glad we went. Honest, no frills delicious food is what we got for a great price. Ordered the vegetale antipasti and got a large plate of perfectly cooked and seasoned veggies including asparagus, eggplant, zucchini and also large white beans. Nothing was too sour or soggy or salty or bland like at other places. I got the penne arrabiata which was seriously so good and yet so simple. The penne isn't homemade or at least it didn't look like it - who cares it was perfectly cooked al dente. And the sauce tasted of delicious tomatoes and parsley and garlic. Not overly salty or sweet or spicy. And the hub had fettuccine bolognese. The noodles were homemade and delicious and chewy and had a great bite. The sauce had so much meat and flavor but again not overly salty or rich or greasy. It was so good we totally forgot to take pics until plates were basically licked clean. It felt like we had gone to a friend's house and their Italian grandmother had cooked us a delicious meal. Homey, simple, flavorful. Also made us feel really good when an Italian speaking party sat next to us. So far the best meal we've had in Portland and the cheapest. But still another day to go and we got Ethiopian and food trucks tomorrow.
(4)
John H.

Enjoyed a wonderful dinner with friends. Friendly service. I would recommend a reservation. Saw them turn away 10 or so folks during our dinner. Loves my sea food spaghetti. It was my birthday and they brought me a nice pane cotta. Sooooooo good.
(5)
Joel T.

I've walked by this place a thousand times in the past 4 years and finally decided to give it a try a few weeks back. It's located in a mostly vacant building that I'm not sure is going to last much longer. The restaurant itself is very nice though and I hope they find another spot if forced to move. The staff that I interacted with were all actually Italian. Their accents in combination with the decor and cramped tables makes you feel like you're actually dining in Italy. They seem to be busy most evenings for dinner. I really enjoyed the shrimp pasta I got. It was in a cream based sauce that was heavy and delicious. I'd be interested in going back to try a red or meat sauce as well. They had a really great wine selection. It wasn't cheap, but wine rarely is. I'd recommend pairing with your meal at any restaurant that has the suggestion. Definitely try!
(5)
John M.

Went here for to celebrate my wife's b'day. It was a very pleasant experience. I booked in advance, always recommend doing so --- sometimes the place is full. We had a wine, salads, main course and a surprise Tiramisu. The food was some of the best Italian I have had, the wine was great. The Tiramisu seemed cooked from scratch on site, it was the best I have had. Will come back again !!
(5)
Ryan Y.

Great Italian restaurant with excellent food, service, and menu. All the pasta was cooked perfectly and the taste was perfect. Good balance of flavors (most of the time). I had the gnocchi. It was rich and cheesy. What do you expect with potatoes in a 4 cheese sauce. It really needed some green veggies as the dish was too rich and heavy. The gnocchi was 4 out of 5. I have had better, but for the price, I find it acceptable. I would probably recommend the pasta dishes over the gnocchi. The pappadelle mare e monti (seafood) and spaghetti carbonara dishes were much better and had a better balance of flavors. These I would lean more towards a 4.5 or 5. I also had a side of the orange salad. It was very good. My only complaint is that they left the seeds in the blood oranges. If they want a customer to crack a tooth, they should remove them. Almost every piece of orange had a seed. The combination of the flavors from the balsamic, orange, and arugula made a delicious salad. Then came the dessert. This is where they failed. Tiramisu was soggy and melted. It tasted like it has been sitting out. The coconut sorbet was good. It came in a cool coconut shell. Dessert was a 2 or 3 to me. Nowhere close to impressing me. Price was exteremely reasonable with all the dishes under $25. If I was in that area again, I would go here again.
(4)
Minnie M.

I've never been to Italy, but I imagine restaurants in Italy to resemble Ristorante Roma. What a hidden gem. I came here on a Saturday evening and luckily, my date called to make reservations so we didn't have to wait at all- besides, my hunger probably did not make me very pleasant to be around. My cranky starving self quickly brightened up as I was greeted with wonderful servers and delicious bread. Food was amazing and portions were perfect- the right amount to leave you feeling full and extremely satisfied. My date and I ordered crab ravioli and the seafood pappardelle. Both dishes were absolutely delish- full of flavor. The crab ravioli is with lobster sauce which gave it a bold seafood flavor. We dipped our bread with the sauce and it was PERFECT. Everything tastes so fresh. I could definitely eat here all day every day. Truly amazing. I highly recommend this restaurant and will be definitely be going back.
(5)
Patrick T.

Everything on the menu was excellent! Very reasonable portions. Excellent service. Highly recommend this restaurant for anyone craving traditional Italian. Nice and pleasing atmosphere.
(5)
K J.

Easily the best Italian food I have ever had! Pasta is handmade and the staff is lovely! Although small the restaurant is so cute and homey feeling. The meatballs are my favorite, but the ravioli are also a must try.
(5)
Matt S.

There really isn't much I can say that others haven't. This place is a hidden gem in a city full of great food choices. I feel 5 stars or 1 star is hard to justify at any place, but this place earns it. We WILL be back to try more of the menu. Can't rave enough about the nuance, the staff, the food, and the price. Food this good usually costs an arm and a leg. If you're wavering at all about giving them a try, don't. It's worth the trip!
(5)
Maxine F.

This is an authentic Italian restaurant with tables covered with crisp white linens and a waitress who spoke fluent Italian. My husband and I had a perfect dinner evening out in this small, intimate restaurant in downtown Portland. The Pasta was fresh and cooked perfectly al dente. I had the Papardelle Mare e Monti. The seafood was very fresh and the red sauce with roasted garlic a delight to the palate. My husband had the Fetuccini Bolegnese which he also enjoyed. The bread was fresh and warm and served with seasoned balsamic vinegar and oil oil. The servings were a perfect size for us....quality vs quantity. I wish we had room to try dessert. If we are ever back in Portland, we will be sure to come again.
(5)
Tiffany T.

I came here because of reviews on Yelp and SO GLAD I did! I've been to Italy and have had amazing authentic Italian - this is the first place on the west coast that has actually made me think I was in Italy again! not only does the decor look like those in little local Italian places but the food is amazing! we ordered fresh fettuccini with porcini and garlic and fresh penne with panchetta in tomato sauce with pecorino - OMG. Going between the two was a fantastic contrast. I highly recommend eating here when you're in town.
(5)
Kirk P.

We had dinner there last night and we were lucky to walk right in and get a table. The service was really down-to-earth and sincere and the food was amazing. I played billy Joel's song "scenes from an Italian restaurant" on the walk home. We love Ristorante Roma!
(5)
Karen K.

Wonderful wonderful staff and food. Everything here is great. The spaghetti sauce is amazing. The other sauces are great and not super strong. I recommend getting a reservation. When you come here, plan on dining here like anyone should be dining, which is to take your time and enjoy your company and the great food. Also, this is Italian food cooked by Italians. It is a beautiful language and I liked hearing it coming from the kitchen.
(5)
Khris C.

I'm glad a dear friend introduced and invited me to this place. The food is amazing.. and my favorite so far is the melt watering- Gnocchi ai Quattro Formagii. I may have found my favorite Italian restaurant in Portland:) Cannot wait to go again.
(5)
Craig L.

Lovely time celebrating 25th Anniversary. Service was impeccable. The small intimate room allows for conversation in a quiet casual atmosphere. Food was elegant in its' simplicity. The caprese salad antipasti hit refreshing note to start our meal as we devoured crusty bread dipped in oil and balsamic. Wife had crab and artichoke ravioli in lobster cream sauce. How they made such a rich dish seem light and filling is beyond my understanding, outstanding, would order again. I had the Fettuccine ai Frrutti di Mare, the seafood was not overwhelmed but enhanced by the light tomato sauce-broth. Cappuccinos with Tiramisu and Panna Cotta capped the evening. Best Tiramisu we've eaten. Reasonable prices, great food, service and atmosphere, thanks yelp for directing a couple out of towners to a splendid evening.
(5)
Zach B.

Words will never do this place justice. There must be an Italian Jesus in the back cooking and blessing the food as it comes to your table via the incredibly friendly and polite wait staff that seems to just effortlessly flow through the small restaurant. Nothing on the menu is overly complicated, the dishes are perfectly simple and the food is truly outstanding. I've had thoughts of kidnapping the chef just to learn their recipes. You'll understand my odd obsession once you venture out to this quite, unassuming store front and dine on some of the best italian food you'll ever have. P.s. Everything is fantastic but follow your entree up with a slice of Tirimasu and Cappuccino, it will send you to foodie nirvana.
(5)
Rajesh K.

This is a authentic Italian restaurant where even the hostess and the waiters speak Italian. The Larissa beer was a great start along with the caprese salad. The main course of the spinach ravioli and the chicken with wine sauce were amazing. The pasta with tomato sauce was really good. Overall a good experience and worth revisiting.
(4)
Mina H.

I visit Portland every 3 months for work. Everytime I come here I always look forward to visiting Restaurante Roma. I've been here three times so far and today I actually ordered take out and brought it back to my hotel room. They packed it up very nicely and even separated the cold food from the hot. The restaurant itself is small and cozy... it's cute, clean and on the quiet side. It's certainly a hole in the wall type of restaurant and I think it is family-owned. The 2 servers have been the same for the last year that I have come here. They are both really friendly and nice. From my very first visit here I had the Caprese salad, and the Penne Arrabiata. Although I see other plates that look really good, I'm so in love with the Penne Arrabiata that I can't give it up. The tomatoes taste really fresh and there are whole, roasted, garlic cloves..... The sauce is so delicious that I'd go as far as calling it, "life-changing." It's the best tomato/Arrabiata sauce I've ever had, ever. They also bring you complimentary bread (which is super fresh) with olive oil and balsamic dipping sauce. I usually walk out of here stuffed. It's hard not to over-eat because it is really very delicious. I recommend this restaurant to anybody who wants to have a delicious Italian meal. The ambience, the service, and the food, are top-notch and you'd be crazy to go anywhere else to have Italian food.
(5)
Grant R.

I went here with my brother's bachelor party; a good sized group. We were provided with exceptional service from our waitress. The food was amazing, the wine was a great pairing for the myriad of entrees ordered. I took a picture of the bottle we ordered (we had three of the same thing) so that I could hopefully get some at home. The total for the whole group was very reasonable, especially considering how much we drank. I recommend this spot to anyone visiting or living in Portland. I know I will be back.
(5)
Jillian R.

I wasn't all that excited to try this place since there seems to be so many other options here in Portland, but I was wrong It was phenomenal. We started the evening with delicious bread and an oil/balsamic dip. The balsamic was some of the best I've ever had. I ordered a class of red along with the traditional spaghetti and meatballs. I also added a salad to my entree. The salad itself was good, but what really made it was the inclusion of beautiful yellow tomatoes. Perfectly dressed. My entree arrived and was one of the most flavorful bowls of spaghetti that I've ever had. Finally, I had a gelato blend of cherry and vanilla that was out of this world. To conclude the meal, our server brought 3 sips of Port over on the house. Overall, a flawless meal, flawless service, and a flawless evening.
(5)
John F.

Showed up without a reservation... (not recommended)... and they were accomodating. They offered a 1 hour dinner option (due to people who knew enough to make a reservation)...and we took it. Simple salad and then pasta and filet. The filets were perfectly cooked with a very delicate but nice sauce and vegetables. We had the gelato (tartufo) and recommend all of it. Plan on hitting it for lunch next. Only thing that would have been better is our planning to have a 2 hour eating and wine dinner...but for pure food...it was worth a bit of a rush on our part.
(5)
Archie R.

Amazing food, service and ambience . The caprese salad, spinach ravioli and the best tiramisu ever ! A perfect place for date night. :)
(4)
Michael K.

This is the second time I've been here and I have not been disappointed as of yet. There are plenty of dishes that I still want to try but the four dishes I've tried are excellent. The seafood dishes are great! The flavors are full and not overpowering. I would recommend this place to anyone who likes Italian food. So far, it's one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Portland.
(5)
Kali M.

This cozy gem of a restaurant offers authentic and delicious Italian food with great service. We enjoyed the minestrone soup and the spinach ravioli bolognese. We were pleased with our choice in trying this restaurant. As tourists to Portland, we would highly recommend this place to both travelers and locals alike. A great find!
(5)
Leanne P.

We came here for our anniversary dinner and were not disappointed. We came on a Saturday night and we were glad we had reservations. It was quite busy. I had the Pappardelle Funghi e Salciccia. The pappardelle was fresh, and the creamy tomato sauce with mushrooms and sausage was perfect. My husband had the Rigatoni all'Amatriciana and thought it was wonderful. Nice little salty bites of pancetta and a fresh tasting tomato sauce. The service was a bit on the slow side, but we didn't mind it. Made our dinner feel a little more intimate. It is nice to come to an Italian restaurant and not be rushed. All in all, great food, nice environment, and friendly service.
(5)
Kelli S.

Small basic looking restaurant but there's more than what meets the eye. I like that you can get half orders of the entrees and then get a side which is just enough for me but my boyfriend needs a full size entree along with a side. The cabbage and kale and brussel sprouts are all great sides. They do have a larger party room off to the side of the main restaurant for larger groups.
(4)
Howard D.

I had the veal and spinach ravioli and my wife had the gnocci. We also had the antipasto. The antipasto was very good. The restaurant is very good. I would go back. My standards for Italian food are very high. I liked everything, but there were areas for improvement. Maestros gnocci is far better. They use less sauce and black truffles. It makes a world of difference. The ravioli was made with spinach and veal. The veal was too firm. I would instead try the crab ravioli next time. The bread was also good, but not great. For the price, this place costs as much as the Olive Garden, but is a much better value. I hate the Olive Garden. Maestros gnocci is better, but for the same price we had a whole meal here. I would say that all things considered, the restaurant is a great value.
(4)
Ed K.

Went for dinner tonight. The wine was very good and reasonably priced. The potato gnocchi was good, and the crab ravioli was great. The tiramisu was the best we ever had!
(5)
Kristin J.

Probably the best pasta dishes I have ever had! Great sultry atmosphere with friendly and wonderful staff. Started off with complementary sourdough bread and olive oil. Enjoyed the crab stuffed ravioli with lobster cream sauce, to die for! The dish was 16$ and the quality was definitely worth it but not so much the quantity, could have been a few more ravioli a in there, and I am usually a light eater. So I might recommend an appetizer to start you off. Also had the penne with spicy tomato sauce (spiced with cayenne I think) which was great but definitely need a drink with it! Also got the tartufo for dessert which was equally to die for! Shared it with my boyfriend. Chocolate gelato sphere dusted with hazelnut and circled with whipped cream and strawberries! Wonderful place! Would definitely go back again and again!
(5)
Sharon M.

Italian food at it's best is just about the ingredients. No over-saucing or mounds of Parmesan necessary. Roma is the most consistently fresh and delicious Italian food I've had outside Italy. Fresh ingredients, done simply and done right...every time. The service is always polite, friendly and attentive. The pasta is fresh and homemade. The marinara sauce is from plum tomatoes perfectly done with chunks of garlic and just enough salt. Not fancy, no gimmicks, just good ingredients, done simply and perfectly. Every time.
(5)
Matt R.

Service was very friendly and the food was good. However having some very good italian in sf, laguna beach and santa Rosa ca, I cannot say this place should be ranked as high (4 stars) and definitely not higher than those restaurants. The noodles did not seem very fresh nor did the ravioli. The sauce was very good and I wouldn't mind eating here again however it wasn't GREAT italian as the reviews and stars built it up to be. I even tried both dishes that many had recommended. 4.5 stars is reaching quite a bit. This is a 3 star on taste for sure.
(3)
James O.

Service is fast and friendly, despite me arriving 20 minutes before they closed after lunch! The food was fantastic. I had the Penne with quattro formaggi sauce. I'm looking forward to eating here again soon.
(5)
Jon T.

This is a small place with wonderful food and friendly service. It's kind of hidden away and makes a great place for a business or social lunch. Try pasta or meat. You won't go wrong.
(5)
Steven K.

Can I just say OMG TASTE EXPLOSION. This place is wonderful. It's romantic, it's cozy, and it's delicious. Yes it's pricey, but you know what, it's totally worth it. I went here with a large group of friends when we took a weekend trip to Portland, and we went here by the recommendation of a friend in the group. We were not disappointed. The waiter was very nice and had a great sense of humor. The portions were excellent, and the food was so amazing that we were all in blissful stupor from the food coma that kicked in.
(5)
Cielo S.

The food was SUPERB. The waitstaff was friendly though there were only 2 and the place was pretty busy. The venue was cozy and quaint. We had the following items: Carpaccio Grana e Arugula Thinly sliced rare tenderloin beef with shaved Parmigiano, baby Arugula with lemon vinaigrette. Ravioli di Spinaci al Pomodoro Spinaci ravioli with a tomato basil sauce topped with Parmigiano. Scallopine al Vino Bianco Chicken breast sautÃ©ed in a white wine sauce. All of it was delicious! Would revisit again.
(5)
Michael W.

Went for our anniversary Monday. I highly recommend reservations! We had a nice table by the window. It was cozy and intimate, open style seating like a Trattoria. The service was spot-on from the minute we walked in. First came the bread - a yummy pugliese-style with a perfectly blended ratio of oil & balsamic. For antipasti, the Saute Vongole - fresh Oregon clams sautÃ©ed in white wine, tomato, whole clove garlic, and parsley. So good we started dipping bread in the sautÃ©. For primi, Tammy had Fettucine ai Frutti di Mare - fresh clams, mussels, shrimp, calamari, tomato, garlic, and parsley. The broth was just so good. The fettucine was more like a spaghtti - and fresh made pasta. My dish was similar, Pappardelle Mare e Monti. Same ingredients except the thick pappardelle noodles, and most succulent porcini mushrooms and a splash of Cognac. Salad was insalata con arance, orange slices, over baby arugula, and shaved fennel, with o-juice and oil. For dolci, Tartufo, a chocolate gelato with Zabaglione cream center, covered in carmelized hazelnuts. And a cappuccino, of course. Our wine selection was a really bold, cheery Caparzo 2010 Sangiovese Toscana (Tuscany) with a dark cherry tone and hints of spice. Lively! The service won me over permanently. The food is of the highest quality - all perfectly - NOT over-cooked - done, A+ presentation, and simply spiced & herbed. I recommend to everyone! Check their menu at online.
(5)
Raymond B.

We arrived at 6:00 PM on August 20, 2014 without a reservation. The restaurant is small with perhaps 15 tables. About half the tables were occupied and 3 tables were empty, but had not been cleared. A young man who was dressed as though he was a bus boy greeted us and sat us at a table in the middle of the restaurant. Someone brought water glasses. We put the carefully folded napkins in our laps. At this point a young lady dressed as a hostess came over and said this table had been reserved and that we would have to get up. She said they would clear a table for us and it would be ready in about 5 minutes, but that we would have to vacate the table by 8:30 for a reservation. We got up and stood by the front door. Five minutes later she sat us at an identical table for two, five feet from the first table, gave us menus, apologized for the confusion, and reminded us we would have to leave by 8:30. Just as we were looking at the menu, this same hostess appeared with two wine glasses and a bottle of wine. We were sure she was going to comp us two glasses of wine for this silly maneuver of making us get up, wait, and then reseating us five feet from where we were sitting to start with. When we told her we had not ordered wine, she looked dumbfounded at us and said she was told we had. She then realized she should have taken it to the table next to us. I cannot understand why she would not have seated the reservation at the table she seated us at. It was an identical table five feet away. What a way to correct error on the restaurant's part! We decided to just order an entree and leave. We were done by 7:00 PM, but it took another half hour to get and pay our bill. The food was pretty good and reasonably priced. Usually, good food with poor service would get 3 or maybe 4 stars, but this is absolutely no way to treat customers.
(2)
Jim W.

Been dining at this family place for years. Went back each time I returned from Afghanistan 3 times. Loved it. Reminded me of my childhood in Boston and NJ. Plus I went in lately wanting a dish not on the menu. They cooked it up..marvelous. very friendly !
(5)
Vi B.

Grazie. That seems to sum up every one of my sentiments when it comes to Ristorante Roma. Grazie for the wonderful, warm, intelligent servers. Grazie for the welcoming, intimate ambiance. And mostly, grazie for fulfilling every one of my Italian food cravings. Everything about this place is superb, and I am elated to have a place like this downtown. And for someone who loves Italian cuisine, I can't believe it took me until last year to come here. I came here to celebrate my birthday and am so glad that I did - Roma did a great job and took my appreciation for "great restaurants" to a whole new level. So, yeah. I guess there's nothing else for me to say, but.... grazie, grazie, grazie!
(5)
Dan F.

I am torn about what to give this place. The food was ok, it is pricey, but a bug landed in my wine glass (there are bugs flying around our planet, so I dig it), but when I told the server (I think she was the owner or manager) she swooped in and grabbed the glass and brought back another glass and said "there are bugs around you know." I guess, I do. It was an odd experience. I had the spinach ravioli and it was ok. I think this is an on the fence kind of place for me, but I would not go back. Just FYI, the dessert place next door is all vegan.
(3)
Smit J.

Only been here once but loved it. Ps. The designer of the place is awful though, all the way down to the comic sans font on the menu. DO NOT EAT THE MENUS THO
(4)
Melanie Y.

Yum! Fresh pasta. The Pappardelle Mare e Monti and the crab ravioli in lobster sauce was delicious. Will definitely go back!
(4)
Mary H.

Amazing family-owned & run Italian restaurant. Intimate but kid-friendly atmosphere, fresh ingredients, great dishes, all around lovely place!
(5)
Bill K.

So now I think this place is hit or miss like some of the other yelpers. Last time in I found the service really slow...we had a reservation at 5.30 when they opened, and we didn't get our orders in for wine and apps for 25 min. The servers and the kitchen were overwhelmed. Please try to be ready to go when the doors swing open! And some of the dishes like the clams and the carbonara were just plain and mediocre.
(3)
Jere J.

Great food and attentive servers in a small, modest, family-style restaurant. I ordered the penne arrabiata, and asked them to throw some shrimp in. Minestrone and house salad were good starters. All in all a great find.
(5)
Chris R.

Visiting Portland for a few days. Craving Italian but that can be hard when some family members prefer to stay away from gluten. Restaurant has indoor and sidewalk tables. This is a small authentic place not a large corporate establishment. The food was excellent and they offered gluten free pasta for those who couldn't eat the pasta. We had the gnocchi, special ravioli with mushrooms for the evening, orange salad, antipasti, seafood pasta dish and some incredible desserts. Owner was on the floor and visiting with customers. They have been in this location for 10 years. Parking was simple with the public parking across the street at the church.
(5)
Marcus C.

My wife and I had an excellent meal! The wine list represents some very nice Italian wines and the food was very good. We loved the pastas!
(4)
Natalie R.

This place is great! I took my parents here when they came to town and they both loved it! My Daddy is Italian and he approves. We got the cheesy Gnocchi and it was the perfect size. Don't be an asshole like me and be sure to make a reservation. The wait staff was super nice though and were able to seat us but informed us we only had an hour before the next reservation showed up, but that was plenty of time!
(5)
Io M.

Very good food and relaxed staff. You do need reservation and that IS a good thing ;)
(5)
Michelle S.

Delicious homemade Italian food. All the people in our party liked their food. I'd give them five stars if they didn't use canned whipped cream for their dessert.
(4)
Lucky B.

Delicious! Being Italian I'm quite picky about which Italian restaurants I'll eat at. Small, quaint and great food and service! We'll be back!
(5)
Olivia O.

Hit or miss! We came here on a Tuesday evening around 6pm. The restaurant was maybe 3/4 full, and all the patrons in attendance were strangely in the same age group - 70+ I would say. Not bad, just unusual. The bread came out and it was hot, but the crust was inedible. We ordered the Rigatoni all'Amatriciana, which was quite flavorful but maybe just a tad too salty, and the Fettucine Bolognese, which was straight up bland and awful. Their was no flavor to it at all. I ended up scooping some of my rigatoni sauce into my husband's bolognese just so he would have something to taste. A few months before all this, I had a normal to good lunch experience here. The crab and artichoke raviolis in lobster cream sauce were good (though not exciting, I wondered if the raviolis had been frozen - it just tasted the same as something I would have bought from a grocery store, nothing special. In terms of atmosphere the restaurant seems very dated. It looks like something from a 80s film. Italian music, maps of Italy, strangely colored walls. It felt stodgy but not elegant, almost silly. I guess its more of "meh or miss" - I don't think we'll be returning. I'll leave Ristorante Roma to it's elderly clientele and their dentures.
(3)
Jeff D.

(Original review from 4/4/2013) Tried Ristorante Roma with some foodie friends and we were most impressed! Fantastic service, a very well done meat sauce and dessert that was to die for. A very nice and incredibly reasonably priced wine list. We'll be back!! Was this review ...?
(5)
Shana G.

LOVE!! I would recommend this place for any occasion. Its cozy enough for a casual dinner. Intimate for a romantic night out. My friend's and I came here to celebrate a birthday. Although there were only three of us in our party, I noticed they accommodated a larger group as well. There's not a lot of space, so reservations are a must. Our menu choices: *Pappardelle Mare e Morti - Pappardelle pasta with seafood in a cognac sauce. Can't go wrong with a bowl of steamed seafood and fresh pasta! *Stracetti con Ruchetta - Thin sliced tenderloin in pinot grigio reduction served with arugula. This dish was so simple and light, yet full of flavor. *Ravioli all' Astice - Crab and Artichoke ravioli in lobster cream sauce. I had a few bites of the other dishes, but this one was mine! Oh my goodness amazing!!! I must have made a "mmmmm" sound with every bite, it was so delicious. The sauce was my absolute favorite. Not heavy at all. It was so good, I scooped it all up with bread after I devoured the ravioli. I do wish the portion was a little larger, cause I could not get enough of it. Both of my friend's, said they'd probably order this dish the next time we come in for a visit. The service here is good. We had a reservation, so we were seated right away. Our waiter, Enrico, was very attentive and friendly. In the beginning of our dinner he asked what brought us in, and we mentioned we were there to celebrate a birthday. When we were about ready to leave after deciding against dessert, he comes out carrying a plate of panna cotta with a candle. Such a sweet surprise! A perfect ending to a great meal. The reason for taking away a star: I called in twice. Once to make the reservation and the second to attempt to change it. In both instances, whomever I spoke to was a little rude, and I felt like I was being rushed off the phone. When we got to the restaurant, there were some people behind us waiting for their reservation as well, but the place is so small, in that moment while we waited, it felt very squished. The entire experience as a whole is 4 stars... The food alone 5 stars!!!
(4)
Alex S.

Charming little place. Not sure why the reviews are off the charts. Came here with three others and tasted a good range of their offerings. Good, a bit heavy on the cream, and not really memorable in any way. I did like the restaurant atmosphere however. Not too fancy, simple. Etc. I think there are plenty of other great places to try in Portland if you are from out of town like me.
(3)
Sudipto G.

wish yelp had the option to give half stars, this place deserves 3.5*. The ambience is great, I just did not like my dish, the lamb stuffed ravioli (which was the special of the night). either that or my standard for italian restaurants has just gone higher because of all the excellent places in downtown. Either ways I will give this place another try (though not anytime soon) and see if some other dish is better.
(3)
Leeanne Z.

the service was really slow......and I don't think the food price is only $$....I spent $18 on a very small portion of porcini...... Nonetheless, the paste there was really yummy! You can give it a try if you don't mind waiting for a long time at the table
(3)
Joni W.

We dined here tonight and had a great time. We got ravioli bolognese and fettucine bolognese. Both were delicious. The house white wine was DELICIOUS!!!!! Service was pretty good. We didn't have reservations (didn't think we needed them for a Monday night) and they begrudgingly accommodated us.
(4)
Nicole C.

I'm not sure how this restaurant is so highly rated. My experience wasn't as good as everyone else's, apparently. The server was fine; I have no complaints about her. It was the food that I found wanting. To start, the bread they served was not warm, and it was simply mediocre. Entree: Pappardelle Funghi. The description sounded delicious, but I was rather disappointed. Far from being delicious, it was somewhere between edible and mediocre, certainly not an enjoyable experience. I will admit, though, that the two bites I had of someone else's carbonara were much, much better. Probably one of the best carbonaras I've had. So my recommendation, if you choose to go here, is the carbonara. Dessert: Tiramisu. Nothing to write home about. It was decent, but I've had better. Overall, I didn't like the food here enough to come back. Parking is a pain, and the dishes I ordered weren't worth my time or money. That being said, all the people I had dinner with absolutely loved their dishes, so maybe I just ordered the wrong thing on the wrong night.
(2)
Mandy W.

I wouldn't say this place is bad because it is not. But I wouldn't say it's great either. For the price you pay here and the quality of food you receive, it's about 4-stars worthy. I've tried most of the popular restaurants around Portland, such as Andina, Portland City Grill, Paley's, and so on. This place is decent compared to the more top fine-dining places in Portland. My boyfriend and I dined here tonight and we had their most popular entrees, the crab ravioli and the seafood pappardelle. We also had the tartara (tuna) appetizer, and the caprese (cheese and tomatoes) appetizer. The portion size for the appetizer was rather large, for appetizers. It is larger than usual appetizers you would receive elsewhere. One order of the caprese came with 5 cheese/tomatoes. The tartara was also large. We were getting full just from two appetizers. Onto the taste of the appetizers, the caprese was lacking a lot of taste especially in the cheese. And the tomatoes weren't exactly ripe therefore doesn't have much taste as well. This sums up to a rather tasteless appetizer. I only had one and left the plate alone. The tuna on the other hand was better, but also nothing fancy about it. Just tuna with some veggies. The veggies did not compliment the tuna like "wow", but just alright. They could replace the veggies they use with something and it would be about the same. Nothing fascinating. When my pappardelle came, it smelled good. However my pasta was still hard... and so were the calamari. The whole pasta had one single taste, and it seems like the seafood in the pasta were steamed thus, does not have special taste. The ravioli my boyfriend had was also still a bit hard, and didn't have much filling in it. Usually raviolis have a lot of fillings and that's where most of its taste come from, however this was not the case... the taste in this dish was mostly from the sauce on top and the flour of the ravioli pasta. Bottom line: the prices were cheap compared to most Italian restaurants we go to. Taste-wise, it could be better. I personally would've preferred to go to Olive Garden for similar tasting food. Food quality-Price ratio: 1:1-ish. Food taste: 3 stars Service: 4-5 stars
(3)
Wayne C.

My wife has been going to Roma Restaurant for years. Her office is right across the street and she will often sneak away at lunch for a bowl of the "best Minestrone soup in the city" (or so she has been telling me). I have never wanted to go - for I couldn't imagine an evening meal that was comprised of a bowl of soup (even if the best in the city) only. Oh my goodness was I wrong - this place is fantastic. And, believe you me - it is so much more than a great place for the best Minestrone soup in the city (it is the best by the way). We walked in at 5 pm on a Friday night without a reservation (we have a three year old). The host was so nice and made a special concession to accommodate our table of four. We had a terrific meal that started with an appetizer of clams. Really well done. Everyone at the table ordered pasta dishes (of course my wife got the Minestrone soup). [A word of note - they have two kinds of Gluten Free pasta. It is not noted on the menu, so make certain to ask the server.] The dishes (from the spaghetti with meatballs to the pasta carbonara were really well prepared. The stand out dish was ordered for our daughter - needless-to-say, at three years old she had a few bites and then left the plate for me to consume. Her pasta pomodoro was fresh, authentic, and really delightful. By far the best dish on our table. The restaurant has a wine list, although the selection is a bit "off" from my likings. You can grab a good glass - but if you are going to drink a bottle - pay the corkage fee and bring your own. Finally, the service was really excellent. The staff were attentive, polite to our "three year old table" nuances, and very considerate to get us into a busy restaurant on a Friday night. Roma Ristorante is not a high end restaurant. It is a good neighborhood Italian cafe in a rather nondescript part of the downtown area. It is also really worth trying - even if just for the best Minestrone soup in the city!
(4)
Suhail B.

Very nice intimate restaurant. Super friendly staff and very delicious food. Had black bass that was excellent. Tried three different desserts that all turned out to be awesome.
(5)
John H.

Awesome authentic Italian (Roman) cuisine. The best minestrone you'll fine anywhere. Take home a quart for the next day(s). Splendid wines, moderate prices, excellent entrees. My favorite is the Ravioli di Spinaci al Pomodoro. The Bolognese sauce on many selections is subtle perfection. The Filetto ai Funghi Porcini (filet mignon in a Cognac reduction with porcini mushrooms) is wonderful. Go with someone you love.
(5)
Clare M.

I stumbled upon this place by accident after being rerouted due to some occupy Portland march going on (during rush hour, really!?). I happened to find a sweet parking spot right out in front, and as I looked around to get my bearings I noticed this little place. I pulled out the trusty iPhone and checked out yelp...4 and a half stars, only 2 dollar signs, yes please! Everything on the menu looked delicious but I ended up going with the casarecci pollo y broccoli (I don't remember if that was the exact name but if not it's close) and my dining partner had some kind of pasta carbonara. Both were extremely good, you could tell they made the noodles in house and each piece of chicken in my dish popped with flavor. I left feeling good but not overly stuffed, which was a nice treat. Serving sizes are large but not overwhelming. Also had a glass of red wine, Valentino, it was delicious. There was an older man playing violin, every time I looked at him he gave me a huge smile, he was one of those old people who are just happy to be alive. Will definitely be back here, seems like a great date spot!
(5)
Amy C.

This is the most fantastic Italian food I've had in a decade!! It's a homey casual restaurant. The next time I'm in Portland, I'm there!
(5)
Kristin B.

The Ravioli all' Astice is an absolute MUST! We took our whole family here and had a blast. Highly recommend for any day of the week!
(4)
Debbie Chiou S.

healthy portions, but the seafood is quite fishy and the dishes just aren't very flavorful. i don't get the high rating. feels mostly like tourists at the restaurant too.
(2)
Kathy E.

Went due to reviews I'd read. First, is definitely NOT in the PDX groove- no tatoos, no piercing, none of that I'm cool just to be here PDX vibe. Which is, actually, nice. Perhaps the next trend for PDX is to be uncool. The one-room restaurant probably seats 50 max. The food is like visiting a nice Italian trattoria in a smaller Italian town. Started with the orange/fennel salad and the caprese and a prosecco. They serve a very good procecco- better than I'm buying for sure! Both salads are recommended. The caprese is definitely enough for 2. Not remarkable mozzarella though. Main courses were 4 cheese raviolis and the arugula/steak dish whose name escapes me. I commented that the ravioli was good but not life-changing, but Ron said it's not supposed to be- this is comfort food, not edgy stuff. And he's right. He loved his dish. We split the panecotta for desert and it was probably the best dish of the meal. Had 2 glasses of nice Italian red, total bill came to $84. I would definitely return to this restaurant.
(4)
Jason M.

I loved this little place. We came here one night and had a fantastic dinner. Service was warm and friendly. Real Italians, not that that matters, but an interesting touch. They were very helpful with the wine list. We had a delicious spinach salad to start. The gorgonzola is an excellent touch. My lady had the ravioli bolognese while I had the Casarecci with broccoli and chicken. Both were awesome and the portions were huge. We ordered a tartufo for dessert. When the restaurant manager realized we were from out of town they gave us a complimentary glass of port. A nice touch to a really nice night and a great meal.
(5)
T M.

We were in the area and in a bind to find a restaurant for dinner, so I did a google search for surrounding restaurants and picked the one with the best yelp reviews. I have to say, both service and food were average. Prices were pretty good. Four of us shared a salad and wine, and I ordered the seafood pasta. It was good, just not as good as Buca di Beppo in Seattle - they serve my favorite seafood pasta dish! Overall, this restaurant is OK. I would not come back or crave anything I had there.
(3)
Adelle G.

Our second meal here was as good as the first. We were really hungry and all left satisfied. We love this quiet little restaurant and the service was superb. I think their filet is one of the best pieces of meat I've ever eaten.
(5)
Zippy M.

My husband and I were visiting Portland for the weekend and wanted cozy Italian. We found it here! Everything was great - food, atmosphere, service. Highly recommend for casual evening with a neighborhood feel.
(5)
Suzanne O.

What a find! Carpaccio to die for. Hubby and I split the raw meat goodness, shared a wonderful pasta and enjoyed a bottle of wine. Plenty of food. Excellent price. Nice people. So much better than most Italian restaurants, and like others have said, it really felt like Rome. Just a super experience. I thought the atmosphere was romantic, too.
(5)
Nikolos R.

quaint cute white linen candle light tabels great date spot sit by the window.
(4)
Kat K.

Had dinner here w/a new friend a week or so ago and it was lovely. I'd tried for months to get a reservation, but by the time I got the life into order, the restaurant was full. This time I had good luck getting a table for two. The food was delicious. And! And they offered us complimentary glasses of grappa with dessert. I'd better not say too many good words about Ristaurante Roma or I, myself, won't be able to get in again. .K
(5)
Chinmay G.

This is simply an amazing place. The moment you enter the restaurant, you get the feel of a typical Rome restaurant. The service, food and the ambiance was perfect. I ordered the ravioli and it was excellent. One of my friends did not like what he ordered. The staff was quick to observe that and they immediately made an alternate entree for him. Overall, a must visit place if you want to have an authentic Italian restaurant experience.
(5)
Jon B.

This is an Italian restaurant, not an Italian-American joint. Small and warm with great service, simply prepared excellent food and a well priced wine list, Roma is an Roman tratoria in downtown Portland. Our European business guest was impressed by the ambiance, by the service and by the excellent tuna. I'll be back!
(5)
peg b.

My husband and I had dinner during a short stay in Portland . perfect ambiance , friendly staff ,very good food. heavenly panna cotta!
(4)
Kim W.

Just finished dinner. Dropped in without reservation and they were able to sit us in 15 min. Service was quick and friendly. Menu had ample selection. Food was fabulous. Fresh ingredients, fresh taste. Delicious.
(5)
Greg M.

Amazing food and the price is very reasonable. We were really pleased to find this little hole-in-the-wall! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Robert H.

My wife and I had dinner here last night, which was a Wednesday night during spring break. I think because of that there were few patrons, but that didn't seem to affect the enthusiasm of the staff or Andrea Bocelli, who was energetically singing in the background. My wife had Tartara di Tonno e Finocchi, and I had the Antipasto Italiano for appetizers. They were both excellent, and the servings were large, so there is no reason why the two of us couldn't have shared either of the two if we had thought to inquire. Because of the size of the appetizers, we decided to split an order of the Ravioli di Spinaci al Pomodoro. My only regret is that I had to split it; it was wonderful. Light, flavorful and balanced. Just what you wan tin a pasta dish. This is a great little spot, and it won't break the bank either. This is clearly one of the best values in Portland.
(5)
Gavin M.

A truly Italian experience. Drink, converse, taste, enjoy. First, a fabulous bottle of Boloro. Second, though, romaine with the caprese? That was a bit odd, but good all the same -- needed more basil (but keep reading!) The rest of the night was -- as mentioned -- a true Italian meal, sharing, tasting. My party and I ordered the pesto pasta and the crab ravioli to share, which was so good, we requested more bread to soak up the sauce. We shared a single Secondi Piati, which was sauteed beef and spinach, with asparagus and lemon. Fabulous. To wrap up, an affogato with chocolate ice cream wrapping a vanilla core (wow!!) and panna cotta. Both desserts, top notch. And to wrap up, the owner came out to give us a glass of port -- very kind. To emphasize, though, this was a true embodiment of the Slow Food movement: able to enjoy conversation, superb food and a wonderful evening, never feeling like we were being pushed out the door, even though we were there past closing time. I love this place.
(4)
Nathan D.

Since moving here from the east coast, I have been complaining that I simply cannot find quality, authentic Italian food in Portland that compares to what I could get back east. Then, I randomly stumbled upon Ristorante Roma with a friend and was shocked at what I found. This place is worthy of sitting next to Villa di Roma in the Italian Market in Philly (and would easily give them a run for their money if that were the case). It is not only the best Italian food I've had in Portland, it's some of the best I've had in my life. Bonus points for having a friendly, accommodating staff and a comfortable, pleasant environment. Highly recommended.
(5)
Linda C.

What a delightful find! We walked in on a cold, rainy, windy day to be welcomed by our friendly young female server. We started our lunch with minestrone soup, delicious, with warm bread, which included many pieces of very fresh, lightly cooked vegetables, then crisp fennel and orange salad, with filet mignon, served with asparagus. Before we left, we made a dinner reservation for the next night, when the old man would be there to play his violin. Another great meal, with not as much close attention as the first time, understandable, since the room was almost empty on our first visit but full on our second visit. If you love Italian, don't miss Ristorante Roma!
(5)
Bill D.

My girlfriend and I were visiting Portland and looking for a great Italian restaurant. We asked around but were pointed in different directions. Aft walking around we stumbled onto this gem. The food, atmosphere and especially the waitress was amazing. I wish I could remember her name. She was a true Italian host that knew her wine and the best dishes to offer. Being a fussy NY Italian eater I had my doubts, but this place exceeded them exponentially. The gnocchi was the best I have ever had. It literally elated in my mouth. We will certainly go back if we ever visit Portland again.
(5)
frank s.

Having our dog Stormy with us on our visit to Portland, we ordered take out from this restaurant which is right around the corner from the ACE hotel. Everything was delicious and large in portion size. The service staff and even the chef were very friendly and happy to accommodate the take out order. We had the antipasto plate and minestrone soup to start, spicy penne pasta and spinach ravioli marinara as main and tiramisou for dessert. The main courses were exceptional, the dessert light and airy, the only dish that was just ok was the minestrone, which wasn't bad it just paled in comparison to the rest of our choices. We will definitely be back and highly recommend Ristorante Roma!
(5)
Juju J.

Went on a girls weekend and on the recommendation of the hotel we went to Ristorante Roma. Great place delicious food, easy atmosphere, personable but not too much attention and reasonably priced. The pasta dish came out hot... you knew they made the pasta to order not sitting waiting to be served and thrown back into warm water. I don't remember a dish coming out at such a perfect temperature. The only odd thing is they garnished their dish with carrots.. nothing wrong with carrots but the food easily could stand without that.
(5)
Shirley C.

I do not usually like trying Italian restaurants because we usually make pasta just as good at home but my husband wanted Italian and we were already downtown. We decided to Yelp Italian and found Ristorante Roma, the reviews looked very good so we decided to give it a try. The restaurant is very inconspicuous and we almost walked right past it. The sign in the window said open but the sign on the door said closed. We asked if they were open, (15 mins early) and they were very accommodating and let us sit down. The workers were communicating in Italian as they were getting the restaurant ready to open. This is a very good sign. This is a small family run business with tasteful decor and a large photo of Trevi Fountain on one wall (I love Trevi!). The menu was pretty diverse and I was able to find my favorite pasta dish, Carbonara on the menu. We started out with the Antipasto Italiano appetizer which was delicious, the cured meats and cheeses were even better than the ones we got in Italy. The pasta dishes were really good, better than any other Italian restaurant I have found in the US. The pasta was cooked perfectly and the sauces were excellent! We will definitely be back.
(5)
James M.

I visited Ristorante Roma while in town on business and was extremely impressed! Being a New Yorker of Italian descent, my expectations for Italian food are high. This place did not disappoint in the food category! I ordered the parpardelle pasta with sausage and mushrooms and was really impressed. The pasta itself was delicious and fresh, and the sauce was a perfect compliment. We ordered a few appetizers for the table, but none of note. My recommendation: order a pasta dish to split for an app and get an entree in addition! Would love to try some of their entrees if I ever find myself in the area again. The restaurant is a lot smaller than I was expecting, and the layout can be uncomfortable for larger parties. I was with 2 coworkers, and the vibe was a bit more intimate than we were in the mood for! I could see this being a great date spot. The service was extremely attentive. There were two waitresses on duty who both took care of our table with equal care and were both extremely friendly and accommodating.
(4)
Kea B.

Yummmm!!! I think my belly died and went to Heaven. I had the penne arrabiata, just spicy enough but not too spicy. The staff were all very welcoming, and hopeful to please. My only complaint is that it's so far from home!
(5)
Ken P.

Saw all the great reviews but, somehow I did not see it. I love Italian food and always try spaghetti and meatballs as my measuring stick. I tried there's and was surprised. It was like spaghetti O's meatballs, they were tiny and , flavor was not there for me. The service was slow and not personable. I was seated and ready to order but two other tables clearly after me were serviced first. I was dressed casual and other dressed more formal felt sort of profiling never the less I may return to be sure that I give them fair chance. At this point it surely does not make top 12 for me.
(2)
Eva G.

I came in here on a rainy evening and was immediately welcomed by the cosy atmosphere and wonderfully helpful staff. The food was great ( I got classic spaghetti and meatballs ) and priced well, I'm looking forward to going back!
(5)
Paul A.

Great bread great food great service - i had the ravioli bolognese - it had large black pepper chuncks which was the only thing that kept it from a 5 for me.
(4)
Ness S.

I die. Hands down the best Italian food I have ever had. I went into here on a whim of not knowing where else to go while staying in a hotel near by in Portland. Found this place on yelp, walked in as they were closing (still served us), pointed to a picture of a pasta dish on yelp, and said, Ill take that. Let me tell you, I was not disappointed. It was one of those times when what I was eating was so good, that I practically bounce up and down in my seat while I am eating, and I have to keep saying, "oh my God this is so good!!", driving whoever I am with absolutely crazy. But seriously, it was so good. Pasta made in house, delicious creamy tomato sauce, sausage, and fresh grated Parmesan. If you haven't tried this place yet, or if you are looking for a romantic place to impress your date then by all means, PLEASE go here. You will not be disappointed. I have not been to Italy, but I would imagine this is as close of an experience with the food as I am going to get.
(5)
Monica R.

This place is so good we ate here twice in one trip. The pasta is homemade and the sauces are amazing. I got the the ravioli all'astice which was perfect. I was torn between that and the pappardelle mare e monti but I wanted a creamier sauce. Good decision on my part. I also tried the fettucine bolognese which was a really great, authentic bolognese sauce. We also split the minestrone soup (which just needed some salt) and the panna cotta which was the perfect (literally perfect) end to a meal. This place is legit and so delicious! I would be a horrible person to not recommend it.
(5)
Shruti N.

Nice little lunch spot...seems like it may get busier later on but it was easy to sit at 12pm on a Friday. I had the spaghetti with meatballs which came with a small green salad. My mom had the gnocchi. Both were good not great. A nice place to stop by if you're in the neighborhood but not somewhere I'd go out of my way for.
(3)
Michael C.

Good things do indeed come in little packages. This small Italian restaurant is the perfect place for a quiet dinner. Service is excellent prompt but not intrusive. The food is excellent. I had fillet mignon with mushrooms on a bed of greens that was so tender you simply needed a bread knife to cut it. The pasta dish we sampled was excellent although I must confess I was so engrossed in the conversation I don't remember what we ordered but I do remember it tasted great. After a wonderful meal we finished dinner off with large mugs of coffee. We were there for 3 hours and felt like 20 minutes. Very relaxing restaurant with excellent food and service.
(5)
J. G.

I am really not sure why this place get's such "rave reviews" and people around Portland recommending this as the "best Italian". If it is...you guys need to try some Italian outside of Portland. The service is great...let's be clear. The atmosphere...very very small and surprisingly quiet. Prices...very reasonable. Food...let's first talk about the oil and vinegar served with the bread. Not a great first impression to have oil laden bread with no vinegar since these were obviously pre-prepared long in advance so separation had taken place. Also the olive oil tasted very heavy and thick, not like an extra virgin oil. We move on to food and I had the ravioli with lobster sauce which you could see the droplets of oil separation in the cream sauce. Tasty but nothing to write home about. We also had the spaghetti and meatballs which was a smaller size portion of slightly bland meatballs and very little sauce on the pasta. Again great service but the food and presentation I am definitely not a fan of. So I am giving this restaurant a firm "OK" but I have had better.
(3)
Anna P.

Fucking perfect meal! Delicious wine, seafood and sexy waiter!! Seriously almost licked his teeth as he told us the specials in a beautiful Italian accent. Will def be back, wonderful atmosphere and great service.
(5)
Sally T.

Love this place! A cozy, authentic italian restaurant. The food was delicious.
(4)
Kai F.

Rave reviews from a friend brought us here for lunch. this is a very small place, and the standout was the excellent service. the prices were good, with smaller portions and lower prices for lunch than for dinner. I had the Ravioli Bolognese, as I am a sucker for trying everyone's Bolognese sauce. it was good. not the best sauce I have ever had, but good. a few in our party got the crab/artichoke ravioli with lobster cream sauce - I think next time I will try this, or the sausage penne.
(3)
Linda W.

While the decor may have been done by someone on a limited budget at Home Depot, the food more than makes up for it. The waitstaff was great, friendly and attentive. We ordered a dessert and they gave us two glasses of Port that went perfectly. We had two meals, a bottle of fantastic Sangiovese and a dessert and it only cost us $60. We will definitely be returning and bringing friends.
(4)
Pablo G.

Visiting Portland, hungry for a good meal somewhat close to Pioneer Square, the Yelp app saved the day. We didn't have reservations, but got a table pretty quickly. 1 star for service: attentive, professional, and friendly 1 star for quality: their 4 cheese gnocchi is to die for (I could eat an entire pot, since here it's made as it should be, with a lighter dough), the antipasto was fresh and generous, the ravioli bolognese was perfect and meaty, the tiramisu just put it all over the top wonderfully. 1 star for ambiance: classy, simple, very quaint and familiar. 1 star for location 1 last star for bringing all this together (really, what more could you ask for?) I will be coming back, since it's now my favorite Italian Restaurant.
(5)
Becky Y.

Went here last Tuesday. Food is delicious but not really impressive. However, this is a warm, friendly restaurant with affordable price. I would like to visit here again.
(3)
Jesse G.

Had a great experience here tonight! Truly authentic Italian at an amazing price. From the window to the wall. They made us feel so welcome. Answered all my questions nicely (they all speak in Italian accents : ) ). Girlfriend had lobster and artichoke ravioli and I had gnocchi quattro parmigiano? Sorry I'm a noob. Waitress also recommended a delicious wine that was more than affordable and paired very well with our meals. Our whole meal including the bottle of wine came to a very small price of $58. You better believe I tipped well 10/10 two thumbs up 4 stars all across the board
(5)
Carrie S.

Great atmosphere; great food; excellent dessert. I loved the cozy atmostphere; even with our party of six. The place was packed as the Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon was the same weekend. I made reservations - thinking it was another restaurant. It turned out to be an excellent mistake. We will be back.
(5)
Kala V.

Everything is just awesome!
(5)
Tamra M.

Wonderful service, fabulous food and great atmosphere! I like to keep gems like this one a secret but it's so good I have to share. We visited from Vegas the weekend of July 21st and heard about this place on yelp. It was a great choice. We have a family of four and we were able to sit outside. The waitress was fairly new but provided amazing service. The entire staff was accommodating and friendly. The food was perfect, I had a the seafood, it was fresh, delicious and the pasta was perfectly cooked. The suggested wine was perfection. The dessert was delicious. We plan on visiting again on our next trip to Portland. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Jessica W.

We arrived for an early dinner and managed to get a seat but were lucky since the entire place was booked for the rest of the night. Therefore, if you are planning a visit, make reservations in advance! Although the ambiance was not as intimate as I would have liked, the food most certainly made up for it. My husband and I found the food, as well as the wine pairing the server suggested, delicious. Well worth a visit.
(5)
Lisa S.

I was staying at the Nines Hotel in downtown Portland and found this resturant because of Yelp. We were all craving italian food and this place hit the spot. The resturant is very small and feels authentic. Everything is made to order and the food was so fresh. We ordered: -spaghetti a la fruti de mar -fettucine bolognese -artichoke/crab ravioli My favorite bite was the fettucine bolognese. The noodles were perfect al dente and the sauce was very flavorful but wasn't heavy at all. The food seemed to be prepared with minimal butter and oil, just enough for the dish to come out properly,yet it wasn't overloaded which was perfect. I will definitely be back the next time I'm in Portland.
(5)
Wise K.

My favorite dish at Roma is the paparadelle di mare, but recently I've been trying the specials. Tonight's was perfectly grilled lamb chops on a bed of kale and served with a beautiful saffron risotto and topped with asparagus spears. My dinner partner ordered the wild boar ravioli with shitaki mushrooms and shaved Parmesan. The ravioli was tender and exquisite. We shared a creamy golden tiramisu for dessert. I almost hate to write a review because it's getting harder to get a reservation.
(5)
Chris F.

I found this great little place based on Yelp reviews. The food was wonderful and so was the service. Got right in, although I can see why you might want to make a reservation based on its small size. Being Italian, I am pretty picky about Italian restaurants. I will definately go back to this one!
(5)
Kevin W.

Wonderful in every way. Relaxed yet stylish. Simple yet delicious. Authentic yet accessible. Extreme attention to detail. Strongly recommended.
(5)
dave d.

Did not go there with any foodie friends or because it was trending towards cool on the where to be seen scale. We were in town and wanted a family style italian dinner. Well we didnt exactly find that, but what we did find was the best little italian food place i can ever remember. The pasta was splendid, the salad perfect. Tiramisu really was one of.the best desserts ive ever had. The chef must know that our salt and pepper never moved on the table. Everything was perfect.
(5)
Wendy S.

Wow - went her tonight on a whim and after looking for a good Italina place near Pioneer Square. What a find.!!! ITs a small authentic italian eatery with amazing food, great service and prices are reasonable. We share the spinach salad with gorgonzola and parmesan. Lovely. Light fresh tender young leaves and very lightly dressed. My friend had the 4 cheese gnocchi and I have the crab/artichoke ravioli with a lobster cream sauce. To die for! And Walter. the server, was the best!!! I would go back just for him alone! Plus, althoguh we didn;t order dessert we each gota lovely glass of Ramos Pinto Tawny Port, on the house. An amazing little jewel of a place.
(4)
Roanna L.

If you're looking for classic Italian, look no further. The servers are warm, boisterous and friendly, the ambiance truly resembles that of an Italian bistro. Nothing tacky or overdone, just good old Italian indulgence. Their Gnocchi ai Quattro Formaggi tastes fresh and rich, and will satisfy any cheese lover. I first tried fruit infused olive oil here and vow never to go back. Ristorante Roma is definitely a hidden gem of Portland.
(5)
Anu G.

I visited this place with a friend on her recommendation. The place has a good feel to it and the food is great. I had a gnochi and it was the best i ever had. Their prices are a little higher but their serving size is good.
(4)
Bossy G.

VERY nice feeling here. Food is quite good and the service is excellent. It is a small place so while you might get in at the last minute, a reservation would be better. What is nice is that the food is fresh, hot and nicely seasoned. Salads are fresh. Wine list is not too much $$. They have a bottle that is $25 and it totally acceptable. This is a lovely neighborhood restaurant that is not too much of anything. There are people of every age and dressed every which way. It is always busy which speaks for itself. Steady and always on target. P.S. to restaurant. The orange salad is so good but too many oranges and not enough arugala
(4)
Barbara M.

Definitely recommend. Good service, reasonable prices and the food was very good. We had the carpaccio for appetizer, spinach and ricotta ravioli and the spaghetti and meatballs. The tartufo was a fantastic dessert!
(5)
Lauren L.

Small place. Good service. Delicious food. Some room for minor improvements: providing a shell bowl for shellfish dishes. Making it clear on the menu that the caprese isn't a salad; the "bed of greens" is a garnish. Labeling the bathroom door... Again, all very minor. The food was very good and I would go here again. I especially like that it's small. Had only about 10 tables inside and 2 outside.
(4)
Patrick B.

Went with a friend this past Friday. Highly suggest making a reservation as this relatively small restaurant filled up quickly. I had the Insalata Roma salad for starters. The salmon, shrimp, arugula, artichoke hearts, and lettuce was fresh and delicious with a wonderful dressing. For the main meal I had the Pappardelle mare e monti. Again, the seafood was fresh and delicious. My friend had a salad and pasta dish as well. Was delicious according to my friend. Service was friendly and our Italian server added authenticity to this Italian restaurant. The only reason I gave 4 stars was because they only served beer and wine, no spirits. The wine list was pretty extensive. I went with beer, but they only had 5 bottled beers, 4 of which were Italian. In a beer town like Portland, they should have had more local brewed beers. I had the Rogue Dead Guy Ale. Highly recommend this restaurant and will definitely be back.
(4)
Cody H.

Ristorante Roma is a fun little Italian joint in the heart of Portland. The staff was friendly and attentive. I had the crab & artichoke ravioli with the lobster cream sauce and can't recommend it highly enough. The portion was not some overblown heaping plate of pasta Ã la Olive Garden but was more reasonable and realistic. I end up ordering tiramisu nearly every time I find it on a menu and Ristorante Roma was no exception. I've had tiramisu countless times and I have to say that, without a doubt, this was the best. If you're a fan of the dessert do yourself a favor and check out Ristorante Roma.
(5)
Tet W.

I came here last night for dinner. Based on the solid Yelp reviews we decided to give this place a try. Tonight we started off with Caprese made with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, fresh basil and oregano atop of a bed of salad drizzled with EVOO. The portion size is on the larger size so this would be perfect for sharing. The mozzarella was a little harder than what I am accustomed to but nonetheless was very good. The fresh tomato slices with the bed of salad was great. We drizzled some balsamic vinegar which went perfectly with the salad. I ordered the fettucine al funghi porcini which was made with fresh fettucine with porcini mushrooms, garlic and parsley. The sauce reminded me of the white wine sauce typically made in clam linguini with the fusion of the mushroom taste. It was a nice somewhat deep flavor. This pasta dish is definitely for the mushroom lover. My friend ordered the ravioli di spinach al pomodoro which is ravioli filled with spinach with tomato and basil sauce topped with Parmesan cheese. This was light but the tomato sauce was fresh and very flavorful. A simple dish with not too much complexity allows you to taste all the fresh ingredients. This was a fantastic and more healthy alternative entree. The ambiance was cute and charming. The staff is very friendly. Since the pasta and ingredients are all fresh, entrees do take longer than most but it's well worth the wait. Ours took about 30 minutes to get. Portion sizes are perfect, not too skimpy but not so large that you'll need to get a wheel barrel to wheel yourself to the car. The restaurant is small so I do recommend setting reservations before hand. They do set aside tables for those that do. We did see some customers turn away since multiple tables were reserved. Overall, we had a positive experience and I do recommend trying this place out.
(4)
Becca P.

So far this is the closest thing I can find to authentic Italian cooking in PDX. The restaurant decor was not fancy but the service was great and the food was outstanding! My hubby had the gnocchi al Quattro Formaggio and I had the Pappardalle con Funghi y Salsicca (pardon my shoddy Italian). The sauces were creamy, flavorful, and of a perfect consistency. The gnocchi and Pappardalle were cooked al dente and to perfection. Top it off with a bottle of red from Montepulciano and it was pure heaven. Cannot wait to go back!
(5)
Phil F.

Went there for dinner yesterday with another couple. The place is a nice, friendly sort of place. Service was friendly and well paced. The ambience is welcoming and so is the vibe. We started with the antipasto plate and a bottle of Sangiovese. We each ordered a pasta plate - a couple seafood spaghetti dishes, a seafood ravioli, and a papardelle dish. For dessert we had a panna cotta and espresso - again well executed. All good, but not 5-star, but then again the prices aren't 5-star nor did we expect that level of quality when we decided to go there. Quality is good, much like a good level neighborhood place. If you are looking for straight-forward Italian dishes in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere, with decent prices this place will fit the bill.
(3)
Twila R.

Ummmm...I don't get it...at all. I love food, I love Italian, I love finding small mom and pop type restaurants. This place failed. I was on a 3 day trip to Portland so I did my research to ensure that everywhere we ate would be amazing. Due to previous yelp reviews I thought this place would be awesome. But seriously - epic fail. The food was just not good period. We had the artichoke and crab ravioli - just meh...pasta had a mild flavor, not bad just kind of boring and the sauce tried to save it but still only made it slightly better. We also had the spinach and ricotta ravioli with meat sauce. Just a classic Italian dish that I didn't think could be screwed up...tasted like cardboard and some hamburger thrown on a plate with red sauce. I am so sorry - I usually only write good yelp reviews but this place was truly that much of a disappointment.
(2)
Steven W.

My girl and I were in Portland for a weekend get away. This restaurant was one of the highlights of the trip. I highly recommend the place.
(5)
John L.

This is the real thing -- an intimate restaurant with the feel of a particular owner-chef's personality'. The atmosphere was perfect for a lingering conversation, and the food was exquisite in preparation, visual presentation, and sense of fresh ingredients. Even though the place is small, an elderly Italian sitting in the corner playing tunes on a violin was almost invisible until you looked to see where the music was coming from. Apparently he plays there on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. I was particularly happy with the service. The waitress always seemed to keep an eye on us, but never seemed to hover or intrude on our conversation with inquiries as to how we were doing. When we had questions on the menu, the neighborhood, or the Portland music scene, she was always helpful and forthcoming. We shared two orders of the caprese to start. In our case they were made with organic tomatoes from the chef's personal garden. We also shared a bottle of Tamarak Cellar's outstanding Firehouse Red. For the meal we had various pasta and meat dishes -- all nicely prepared, fresh, and well proportioned. We yielded to temptation for deserts, and had no regrets.
(5)
Mira C.

Okay people, seriously, reign it in a bit, please. This place is fine, just fine. My boyfriend and I ate here a few weeks ago. We chose it based on the Yelp reviews and went in expecting THE MOST AMAZING DINNER EVER. The food was good, but a little bland. The service was polite and prompt. It's definitely a decent place. But with so many amazing dinner options around here, do you really want to settle for just fine?
(3)
Benda H.

Rude waiter ruined our evening. The food was good, the busboy was awesome, but the waiter had a terrible attitude, he was slow in attending us even though there were only 3 other tables. He was also rude to others who came in hoping for a table, but he turned them away because they "failed" to make reservations. Not worth my time or money.
(2)
Colleen M.

We had a disappointing meal here about a month ago in that it was pretty average (we had higher expectations from the Yelp score). I had a roasted garlic linguini clam dish that must have been a special as I don't see it on the menu now. It was not very flavorful (not even mild garlic breath afterwards!?) and the clams were small and just okay. I would eat there again if a someone else wanted to go there but I wouldn't pick it myself.
(3)
K M.

This place is fantastic. Very small, quaint little restaurant with nice, attentive servers. I had the rigatoni, which was delish. My boyfriend had the gnocchi, which was to die for. I ended up stealing his plate because it was so incredibly fantastic. We got the tiramisu, since it's a fave of mine. It was good, but not out of this world. Still hit the spot though. :)
(5)
Catherine F.

"Let me introduce you to my second-favorite restaurant," my friend tells me (we met at his first). So we drive around for a while, finding parking (separate cars), then meet in front of Ristorante Roma. Roma, it turns out, is having an unusually busy evening. We put ourselves on the wait list, and take a spin around the block. (I buy a hot lemon crepe at a food cart around the corner, because I can't freakin' help myself.) I finish the crepe in front of the restaurant (hot! Hot! Hot!), then go in... and people are still loitering at their tables. So we wait (I manage to become hopelessly in the way, before I clue in and go back outside in the rain). Suddenly, as if on cue, half the restaurant decides they've wined and dined enough, and they rise, en masse, for departure (I get in the way some more, trying not to get rained on too heavily). Ambience inside is formal, traditional Italian, with white linen tablecloths and warm ochre walls. Pleasant, comfortable surroundings for a rainy eve. We get the insalata caprese (which I have always adored) and the carpaccio to start. Caprese: good, but doesn't stand out in my mind. Carpaccio: best I've ever had. Worth a repeat visit just for that. My middle-weight glass of red goes perfectly, like the prom date that opted for the simple orchid corsage. Dinner: people share various pastas, which are perfectly al dente, with delicious sauces and fillings. It's great pasta... but pasta doesn't often make my list of most memorable meals, y'know? Just sayin'. (On the contrary, BAD pasta does tend to stick itself permanently in my memory. This was not bad pasta.) Dessert: fantastic! The tiramisu (which I love, and have developed a fairly refined taste for, over the years) was some of the best I have ever eaten, but the panna cotta... O, the panna cotta! *Moan.* It was heavenly, with fresh nectarines. So light and delicate and creamy... We closed the place down. Toward the end of things (we didn't dawdle), I started to feel the "let us go home" vibe from the courteous staff; we obliged. Would love to linger, next time... will call in advance for reservations, I think.
(4)
Jesus N.

Was there with a coworker on a business trip and happened to stumble on this place based on its great reviews here, pretty much hit the spot! The fennel and orange salad was delicious! I ordered the gnocchi which though delicious at first got to be a bit heavy as I finished, my coworker had the fettuccini bolognese, flavor was just right! Tiramisu for desert was also really good. Small place seems family owned/operated with one server which was a bit hard to get attention but service was still decent and courteous.
(5)
Cal G.

We have been to Roma a few more times since I reviewed it and each time it has gotten better and better. The tipping point to 5 stars came when we decided take some friends who were visiting Portland here for dinner. All six of us agreed that it was an outstanding meal with absolutely exceptional service. I have to say, one of my favorite things about Roma is that they don't try to feed you as if you were an elephant. The portions are perfect, filling without being wasteful as so many restaurants are. I would still recommend getting reservations, although even the day of has been fine the last few times we have been in.
(5)
Sarah M.

Love love love. We weren't expecting spectacular when we first walked in - it's a small restaurant and, mid-week, there weren't many people inside. But in minutes... Think Lady & the Tramp; the best date-night restaurant of our trip. It was all about the direct-from-Italy cuisine and staff. The chef's experience "includes cooking in fine Italian restaurants in Rome for over 17 years." The Ravioli Bolognese was perfection filled with spinach & ricotta cheese. I woke up wanting more the next morning. We shared Tartufo (chocolate gelato with a zabaglione cream center covered in caramelized hazelnuts-- are you kidding me?) for dessert. The waiter was a delight, but even better was when the owner/chef's wife (charming) came by the table. We raved about our meal; how could we help it. And in return, 2 glasses of Prosecco appeared at our table. Will we be back? Oh yes.
(5)
Alex S.

Flavor blew me away, price was very reasonable and the atmosphere: very comfortable, personable and authentic! Cozy place though so I'd say call ahead if you want to make sure you get a place.
(5)
Chris R.

This is Yelp's raison d'etre. As an confirmed gastronomic road warrior of late, as soon as I booked my biz trip to PDX last week I jumped on Yelp and began to gather intelligence on the dining landscape here in City Center (thank you, Sun Tzu!) The reviews for Ristorante Roma promised much; Chef owner Enrico and his lovely wife (whose name I am sadly remiss in acquiring) delivered on the promise and more. Casual and unpretentious atmosphere, fresh ingredients and homemade pasta cooked to order, and an old world approach to hospitality make this a perfect venue for the single business traveler. Despite a fairly full dining room, I was immediately shown to a deuce and made to feel very comfortable. My service was every bit as attentive (yet never overbearing) as any of the larger parties occupying the rest of the restaurant. The food was fresh, plentiful, perfectly cooked and the flavors were brilliant. I had the Gnocchi ai Quattro Formaggi; the gnocchi were perfectly cooked, and the Parmigiano, Gorgonzola, Mozzarella and Pecorino cream sauce was just perfectly balanced and executed; the flavors complemented each other without any one of the cheeses overpowering the others. And "creamy" doesn't do the texture justice...just velvety smooth from start to finish. I followed up this Primi course with a Secondi course of Filet mignon in a Cognac reduction with porcini mushrooms. Simple - fresh, tasty ingredients, perfectly executed. Such a treat to have a medium rare filet perfectly cooked. I passed on the coffee and dessert, but felt compelled to accept the complimentary glass of Porto, a very nice touch (I'm not an ascetic, after all!). I had stopped by the previous night after closing, and found Enrico and his wife sharing a drink and a smoke at a cafe table - they apologized for not being able to serve me and urged me to return. Tonight's meal proved worth every bit of that extra effort. I would recommend this place and these owners without hesitation.
(4)
Mark C.

Oh my goodness! Fettuccine Bolognese is stellar! You can't go wrong with this place!
(5)
Daniel N.

I was looking for quaint, intimate setting for a date, and after researching several Portland Italian restaurants, decided on Ristorante Roma. We could not have been happier with the choice. The ambiance was perfect, staff pleasant and attentive, we were served quickly, and the food was amazing. I will definitely be going back.
(5)
Linda L.

we came here for a reunion of sorts, and to meet new people. Thanks John T. for the recommendation. :] i ordered the appardelle funghi e salsiccia, even though it had mushrooms, it was quite delicious [i'm not very fond of the texture of mushrooms..]. it was so creamy and delicious! the appardelle was humongous! i never had such a pasta before. i was quite surprised that the sauce they used was a common theme through some of the dishes. the prices are very fair too. the espresso, which a lot of people ordered in our group, smelled SO GOOD! it was strong in taste, but the aroma ... it would make you want to order one for yourself too :] though we had a huge party, the restaurant was packed, everything came out accordingly! there wasn't a huge wait. there is only the chef and his wife in the restaurant =) btw. its a little hard to spot the restaurant at night time! so google map it, and do a street view to acquaint yourself with the area!
(5)
David P.

Order the pappardelle, it's delicious.
(4)
Karen D.

Absolutely fantastic from food to service!! Pasta is made fresh. Food is so fresh and comes directly from kitchen to table piping hot! Waiter was very friendly and attentive. Definite repeat!!
(5)
Juan O.

Fantastic- Generous portions, Authentic (as far as I can tell). Affordable (2 dinners, 2 minestrones, tiramisu = ~$40). GREAT service. Had Spaghetti ai Frutti di Mare, and it was the best seafood pasta i've ever had.....BEFORE tasting any of the mussels, clams, shrimp, or scallops. Girlffriend had the crab/artichoke ravioli and it was definitely 10/10. the photos dont do it justice. the atmosphere at night is very very nice.
(5)
Cat G.

Amazing, delicious ravioli's in a lobster cream sauce, wonderful fresh minestrone, exquisito! grazie mille!
(5)
Jim D.

I was very underwhelmed. My pasta was fair, my wife's was good. We ate here as part of our Yelp-driven food tour of Portland. This was my biggest let down, I felt The food just didn't have that really deep rich flavor I associate with incredible Italian fare. BUT, I'm a tourist, and maybe didn't order the right things. It wasn't bad food, and I don't regret eating here. The service was very good as well, and the wine selection was nice.
(3)
Thilo W.

Had dinner here last night before a concert. I was so happy to have found this little gem. Casual Italian in a homey atmosphere with excellent and friendly service. What more could you want? Decor is Tuscan sunny walls with the requisite prints and photos of Italian landmarks. Plain but inviting. The staff were all very friendly and helpful, but it was the food that really stole the show. We had the beef carpaccio to start and it may be the best I have ever had. The beef was juicy and tender, the arugula and parmesan perfectly complementing it and the whole dressed in a delicious lemony dressing. Truly outstanding, I'm sorry for any vegetarians reading this -- you are missing out. I had the linguini with porcini and it was simple and delicious. Pasta was cooked to absolute perfection and the sauce was light and flavorful. For dessert we had the tiramisu and the panna cotta. The tiramisu was good, the panna cotta was great -- rich and silky as well as creamy. We also had some wines by the glass and the pours were very generous as well as the wines matching well with the food. Will definitely come back for more. These are the kinds of places I always hesitate to review because I don't want them becoming too crowded. Go and enjoy excellent, simple Italian food.
(5)
Doyle H.

Seven of us dropped in to eat dinner, and were anticipating a great meal: classy decor, an attentive server, ~15 varieties of pasta on the menu. What's not to love? After awhile the shine began to come off. First, the server was one of those edgy-types that's angling for higher tips by hawking soup, salad, appetizers, drink refills, and dessert to every individual person at the table...every time she stops by. When someone asks me two or three times if I want a cup of soup or salad, I start to feel like they're telling me I'm cheap, or not welcome, or both. Second, my wife and I found both of our dishes to be lost opportunities for deliciousness. My ravioli tasted fresh, and the texture was a delight, but it was salty enough that I could hardly pick up any other flavors besides a haze of tomato in the background. Her dish had the most incredibly tender chicken, which was virtually invisible when set against the mass of boiled broccoli-flavor. Until that moment, I'd never felt assaulted by broccoli. All in all, I would've preferred to go to a more traditional Italian restaurant with children underfoot, an inattentive staff, and an enormously long wait for delicious food.
(2)
Neice K.

Out of town visitors seeking a great Italian meal with a romantic touch...this little place made it happen. Loved the ambiance, the nice wine list, and most of all the food. Warm bread on a cold night satisfied our comfort food requirement. I had the seafood paparelle combo, he had the sausage mushroom cream sauce over pasta. Both meals were large servings, and was cooked al dente.. Or server, Doug, helped us with some ideas for sightseeing. I would say check this little place out for a good meal in the downtown area.
(4)
Maddie H.

We tried out Ristorante Roma last weekend, and the entire dinner experience was great. The atmosphere is cute and cozy, and the food is amazing. I ordered the gnocchi and was very happy with the presentation and the taste. The tiramisu was very good as well, and I will definitely be returning for more.
(5)
Joshua C.

In my mind I equate Roma (aka Rome) with madness. Nero and Caligula aside, I don't mean insanity, just a haphazard chaotic frenetic craziness (that in short stints is rather endearing). **Wasn't HBO's Rome awesome?...had to slip it in somewhere** After three glorious days grazing the coastal towns of Cinque Terre ( static.px.yelp.com/photoâ€¦ ) we arrived at Termini (Roma's central train station). Refreshed and tranquil we suddenly went from Mount Tabor at sunset to the Portland Saturday Market on the nicest day of the year with vendors giving out free food and beer. Cars. People. Tourists. Buses. Everywhere. I guess I've so far failed to mention it was the weekend of Pope Benedict XVI's inaugural mass (which we, and 645,000 other people attended). The following Monday was a true "Roman Holiday", where major roads closed to automobile traffic and hordes of pedestrians took to the streets. Conversely Ristorante Roma, is actually quite peaceful. Size and setup wise not so different then what you'd find on a side street near Campo Di Fiore. The cuisine, as it should be simple, subtly flavored, straight forward, delicious. The Pappardelle Funghi e Salsiccia with it's perfect homemade pasta, savory shrooms and sausage is a dish worth returning for. The Fettucine ai Frutti di Mare (seafood) and the Branzino ai Frutti Mare (seabass) not so much. Dessert catalyzed the aforementioned memory flood. I had a Ratatouille-type moment as I bit into the Tartufo. The world blurred and there I was sitting at Tre Scalini, amidst the bustle of Piazza Navona, eating their signature handmade rolled gelato dessert. The Tiramisu also warrants a taste (or more), oxymoronically light and rich at the same time, the second best I've had outside of Italy. I like this place. Under the radar, authentic, small, affordable. But I could like it more, before I up it's rating I'd like to see more warmth and passion both in the service and the cooking. Right now it's more everyday affordable lunch then special night out. Then again maybe that's exactly what it wants. So at the moment three stars (with a fourth for fond memory triggering dessert), and a re-evaluation to come. You know, crossing the street in Rome had a real Froggerish feel (though slightly more dangerous I suppose). Oh, and as always some pics: yelp.com/biz_photos/8kCfâ€¦
(4)
Michelle H.

I didn't know this Italian place even existed, but I'm clearly the only one. We stopped in on a whim, expecting an empty site. Not so. Almost all of the tables were claimed. "Do you have a reservation?" "Uh...no." We had our choice of one or two tables left, thankfully. Had we come in any later, we would have been out of luck. Someday I'll start to learn the ways of a reservation. That's on the 'to do' list. This is a simple Italian spot, headed up by real Italians. You hear that accent? Yeah, that's legitimate. Huge portions. Fresh flavors. More than enough quality for the money. The seafood in my Fettuccine ai Frutti di Mare was absolutely outstanding. There was more seafood than I ever expected to see. Delicious, tender mussels and clams. Fat scallops. Perfectly cooked shrimp. It was so, so good. They don't do cannoli on the regular, but it happened to be the dessert of the day. Toffee flavored, too. It is definitely some of the best in town. This is quality, and you don't have to force yourself into a stuffy atmosphere. So good.
(4)
Paul G.

I have to give this place a glorious recommendation. I have been coming here since it first opened. Back then it was easy to get a table, and it seemed like it was my own little find. The word got out and now you need a reservation on prime nights. Still the place has kept is nice feel and old world vibe, and has not become a place that out lived its reputation. The food is great. Awesome pastas, great appetizers, and excellent deserts. What gives this place the extra umph of goodness is that you feel like you are being served an authentic dish that you could get in a non touristy restaurant in Rome. Like in Italy the staff does not rush you, and you get to enjoy your meal. In Italy its the experience of food, friends, and family, and that is what you get at this place. Favorites are the carbonera pasta, Amatriciana (sp?) rigatoni; there bolognese sauce is great, and they have two killer seafood pastas. Start off though with the caprese salad, antipasto, or seafood salad. For desert their Tiramisu, Tartufo, or the panna cotta are excellent choices. They have a decent wine list, and their espresso is pretty good too!
(5)
Di J.

Excellent dinner in Portland. We went on a Tuesday night, and were seated right away. I had the minestrone soup, which was really fresh and really hit the spot on a rainy night. Husband had the crab ravioli (omg, to die for!) and I had the gnocchi - good but the sauce was wayyyyy too rich. For dinner we shared the Tartufo. Neither one of us really knew what it was, but it sounded good, and it did NOT disappoint! Holy geez, it was SOO GOOD. If you ever go, make sure you get the crab ravioli and the tartufo.
(4)
gerard f.

Lunch menu and dinner menu are the same. If you are looking for a lunch time deal, go elsewhere. No complaints about the meal, but nothing outstanding and I don't understand all the hype from other reviewers
(3)
Kimberly S.

Excellent food and service. I really just wanted an old fashion fettucine alfredo even though it wasn't on the menu, but they made it for me anyway and it was very good.
(4)
Jeremy B.

Awesome! Food was excellent, the meat and cheese starter plate was delicious.
(5)
E Y.

I've had a variety of dishes off of their menu and everything has been fantastic. The pastas are always well cooked, sauces are flavorful, and the service is friendly. For the quality of food, I think that the prices are pretty low and reasonable. I like the fact that it is small and secluded. Definitely recommended.
(5)
Hailey P.

Great Italian food here, guys! The pasta is ah-mazing and really everything they serve there is delicious. The staff is friendly and attentive. It sometimes takes a while to get your food, but it's SO worth the wait! A great place to take the whole family!
(5)

Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.

Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.

Address : 622 SW 12th Ave
Portland, OR, 97205
Phone (503) 241-2692
Website https://www.ristoranteromaportland.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

Claim Restaurant

Italian Cuisine

The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.

Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.

If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.

WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES

Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online

Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.

Search Your Favourite Restaurants.

Ristorante Roma

622 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR, 97205

Ristorante Roma Menu

Antipasti

Secondi

Pasta

Dolci

Healthy Meal suggestions for Ristorante Roma

Antipasti

Secondi

Pasta

Dolci

Shannon B.

Kerry H.

Terry E.

Bryan T.

Randy W.

Kirk F.

Lacy O.

Rebecca J.

Nicole D.

Vijay U.

Laila L.

Allison P.

Peggy H.

Ryan F.

Adam B.

Monique D.

Barbara S.

Emily M.

John T.

Bob D.

Gloria A.

Kenneth H.

Gary S.

vicki g.

Erin G.

Doc O.

K. M.

Luna P.

Cathy S.

Tim E.

Milo D.

Laird N.

Josh G.

Mandy O.

Sabrina S.

Ben S.

George S.

Carmen C.

Zeia V.

Annie P.

Mark G.

Lauren G.

Brooke C.

Erik P.

Yasa P.

Mia T.

Dora G.

Ursula M.

E C.

Jillian W.

Joel M.

Joe M.

Eric H.

Rawley V.

Mirina Y.

Caryn W.

Michael A.

Wendy M.

Nick J.

Patrick H.

Steve P.

John L.

Jason Z.

Benjamin P.

Sara E.

Taylor C.

Teal S.